Gabriel Oak Essay

Thomas Hardy wrote the characters of Bathsheba Everdene and Fanny Robin with specific attributes and details. Both women have similarities and differences that either directly influence each other or other characters. The Victorian class system in the 1870’s (which is where Far from the Madding crowd is based) had four distinct classes. Two of those were the upper working class and the lower [working class]. Bathsheba would have probably become upper working or middle, when she inherited the farm. We can see that Bathsheba regards herself as being higher up in the social order, from the first time we see her in the book, by the way she treats Gabriel Oak. (QUOTE (Gabriel Oak giving her money for the gate). ) This expresses her individuality and the way she respects those in a lower class to her, or those she wishes to impress her social stature on. The nobility in the 1870’s didn’t mix with those lower than them, although they did have responsibility for their workers. For instance, when Fanny Robin goes missing, Bathsheba is worried and concerned about her whereabouts. (QUOTE. Bathsheba asking everyone to keep an eye out for Fanny). Bathsheba has dark hair and bold clothes which represents her personality. As she highlights herself as bold and dark throughout the book (QUOTE). This is in stark contrast to Fanny Robin, who has yellow hair and (QUOTE to describe her appearance). This attire is that of a poor woman and shows that she, aswell as not being able to afford rich clothing, does not have as much esteem as Bathsheba. I think Hardy makes this contrast to show the difference in class and the fact that women are not all the same. (As many men assumed in the 1870’s) A strong contrast between Bathsheba and Fanny is highlighted at the beginning of the book. As there is a social hierarchy between the mistress (Bathsheba) and the maid (Fanny) in all households. Bathsheba and Fanny both worked hard for a living. They were both pushed into situations where they were fighting in the wrong class and the wrong sex. For instance Bathsheba inherited a farm and money and had to purport herself as a man at the farmers market. (QUOTE of Bathsheba being at the market) Fanny Robin saw herself becoming the wife of an officer therefore moving herself up in the hierarchy. The Victorian Farming industry was male dominated and therefore Bathsheba was entering a traditionally male world. This allowed her to develop her character from an â€Å"unpractised girl of Norcombe† to a â€Å"supervising and cool woman†. This was noted by Gabriel Oak, who throughout the book acts as another pair of eyes, through which we can see Bathsheba. He speaks of her truthfully and helps the audience understand her and what she is doing. Bathsheba takes on the farming duties because she doesn’t want yo fail and is constantly trying to impress herself. Whereas Fanny seems to be desperate just to survive. She was â€Å"picking up a living of seampstering†. By saying â€Å"picking up† I feel that Hardy is trying to express her need to simply get by. Also in the time that this book was written, seampstering was known to be a tough trade, which was very poorly paid, and not a line of work to take up unless it was the last resort. Fanny’s actions contrast Bathsheba’s will, not to survive, but to impress. I don’t think Bathsheba would have allowed herself to be in such a position to have to take up seampstering, as she had too much pride and many more resources socially. Fanny Robin fits into the 1870’s conventions a great deal better than Bathsheba does. I think that this can be related to their childhood and parentage. Convention in the 1870’s was very much about women being seen and not heard. It was frowned upon for a woman to converse with strange men. Bathsheba broke this rule as soon as she met sergeant Troy, as she spoke to him and interacted instead of quickly leaving after she was untangled. (QUOTE. Bathsheba meeting Troy and flirting). A woman should always have used a soft voice. Fanny Robin was portrayed as a very quiet woman, and many of the local townsfolk described her as (QUOTE. Her quietness). Bathsheba, however, was very vocal and was able to take charge. For instance, when she took over duties as the bailiff. A woman was never expected to ask anything of a man in the 1870’s. Neither Fanny nor Bathsheba fitted this rule totally. In some respects Fanny did, she was very grateful to Gabriel for his help, and wrote a letter of thanks to him (QUOTE. Fanny’s letter). In other situations Fanny was not as respectable, for instance, she pushed Troy until he finally set a date for their wedding, instead of waiting for him to make his choice. Bathsheba also defies convention when she doesn’t thank Gabriel for paying her toll. This shows that she expects Gabriel to do it anyway, and considers herself higher than him. A woman was not to get onto a carriage or a horse. (QUOTE. Of Bathsheba riding horse alone). When Bathsheba rides alone and is, unbeknown to her, seen by Gabriel, she defies all convention. Even if she was alone, a normal Victorian woman would never take the same actions as Bathsheba. Fanny fits almost all convention, and is submissive to men. She would have been a model Victorian woman. This is in contrast to Bathsheba who simply had too much character to be a Victorian woman. For instance she travelled all the way to Bath, on her own, to find Troy. Which in the 1870’s would have been unheard of. Bathsheba’s parents were not typical of the Victorian era. The father himself was (QUOTE. To describe Bathsheba’s father. ) He had to pretend that he was single so that he didn’t have commit adultery to his wife. From this open and modern family, Bathsheba couldn’t have been expected to be typical and average. From her parentage she is bold and probably taught not to â€Å"fit in†. Fanny Robin, however, was looked after financially by Boldwood. She was very much closed as a child. The simple fact that she didn’t have a strong upbringing implies that she may not have a strong life, or character. The two women’s views on marriage are possibly one of the strongest difference’s between their characters. Bathsheba is quoted to have said â€Å"I hate to be thought men’s property in that way† when Gabriel asks her to marry him. This reflects her individuality and a slight insecurity about being tied down with another man. Perhaps because she doesn’t know what is round the next corner, and doesn’t want to have to be with her husband forever. Fanny Robin was very keen to marry Troy and when she finally had her date set she wrote a letter to Gabriel Oak saying â€Å"I am happy to say I am going to be married†¦ † This simple sentence shows the little girl inside Fanny. (That is shown many times during the book). This also shows another contrast between Bathsheba and Fanny. Bathsheba appears to be very much more mature than Fanny. For instance she doesn’t like to cry (QUOTE. Bathsheba holding back tears). The rustic characters in Far from the Madding crowd act as narrators throughout the book. They are the comic relief for the audience, and contrast the other characters by having a â€Å"common† view on people like Bathsheba and her family. The other characters such as Liddy, Bathsheba’s maid, see her as â€Å"almighty womanish†.