Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Far from the Madding Crowd is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1874. The story follows the life of Bathsheba Everdene, a strong and independent woman who inherits a farm after her father's death. The novel explores themes of love, class, and gender roles in rural England during the Victorian era.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1874 · Genre: Romance, Pastoral, Victorian Literature · 57 chapters · 166,767 words
First lines
When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears, his eyes were reduced to chinks, and diverging wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun.
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Far from the Madding Crowd is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Hardy, dated 1874 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1874 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Pastoral, Victorian Literature, Literary Realism, Tragedy
- Length: 166,767 words
- Structure: 57 chapters, 3,475 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Romance — The novel is dominated by themes of love and relationships, where the main character Bathsheba Everdene has several suitors hoping to win her hand in marriage.
- Pastoral — The novel depicts rural life in a romanticized, idealistic manner, emphasizing the simple, idyllic pleasures of the countryside and nature as a counterpoint to the corrupting influence of city life. Hardy's fictional setting of 'Wessex' is integral to the story.
- Victorian Literature — The novel was written during the Victorian era and reflects the values, settings and societal concerns of that period.
- Literary Realism — Hardy’s novel is celebrated for his realistic portrayal of rural life and for his detailed, poetic descriptions of the Wessex countryside.
Tags
love · betrayal · rural · Victorian · class · farming · independence · nature · tragedy · romance · gender roles · destiny
Contents
- Description of Farmer Oak; An Incident
- Night; The Flock; An Interior; Another Interior
- A Girl on Horseback; Conversation
- Gabriel's Resolve; The Visit; The Mistake
- Departure of Bathsheba; A Pastoral Tragedy
- The Fair; The Journey; The Fire
- Recognition; A Timid Girl
- The Malthouse; The Chat; News
- The Homestead; A Visitor; Half-Confidences
- Mistress and Men
- Outside the Barracks; Snow; A Meeting
- Farmers; A Rule; An Exception
- Sortes Sanctorum; The Valentine
- Effect of the Letter; Sunrise
- A Morning Meeting; The Letter Again
- All Saints' and All Souls'
- In the Market-Place
- Boldwood in Meditation; Regret
- The Sheep-Washing; The Offer
- Perplexity; Grinding the Shears; A Quarrel
- Troubles in the Fold; A Message
- The Great Barn and the Sheep-Shearers
- Eventide; A Second Declaration
- The Same Night; The Fir Plantation
- The New Acquaintance Described
- Scene on the Verge of the Hay-Mead
- Hiving the Bees
- The Hollow Amid the Ferns
- Particulars of a Twilight Walk
- Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes
- Blame; Fury
- Night; Horses Tramping
- In the Sun; A Harbinger
- Home Again; A Trickster
- At an Upper Window
- Wealth in Jeopardy; The Revel
- The Storm; The Two Together
- Rain; One Solitary Meets Another
- Coming Home; A Cry
- On Casterbridge Highway
- Suspicion; Fanny Is Sent For
- Joseph and His Burden; Buck's Head
- Fanny's Revenge
- Under a Tree; Reaction
- Troy's Romanticism
- The Gurgoyle: Its Doings
- Adventures by the Shore
- Doubts Arise; Doubts Linger
- Oak's Advancement; A Great Hope
- The Sheep Fair; Troy Touches His Wife's Hand
- Bathsheba Talks with Her Outrider
- Converging Courses
- Concurritur; Horae Momento
- After the Shock
- The March Following; "Bathsheba Boldwood"
- Beauty in Loneliness; After All
- A Foggy Night and Morning; Conclusion