As the suffering outcast whose daughter cannot reciprocate his affection, Henchard is far grander--and far more sympathetic--than the leader of the town council at the King Arms' dinner. ... Like Shakespeare's King Lear, even in his youth Henchard is one who but scantily knows himself (Hardy's phrase is "introspective inflexibility"), and permits his passions, especially the desire to save face in the furmity vendor's tent, to overwhelm his common sense. ... The theme and spirit of tragedy found a new vehicle in the novel in the 19th century, its form being originally used ...

• Word Count: 1167
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate