The Mayor of Casterbridge By Dr. S.Sen

The Mayor of Casterbridge is the grim story of the rise and fall of one and only one man—Michael Henchard, the mightiest and perhaps, the most impressive and pathetic of all the tragic heroes of Thomas Hardy. The entire superstructure of the novel revolves around this grand inspiring character who suffers – but suffers with a dignified glamour – falls but falls gloriously. The concluding sentence of the novel, “Happiness is but an occasional episode in the general drama of pain”, sums up the entire philosophy of Hardy.
The Critical Evaluation of The Mayor of Casterbridge comprises:
Background Information on Hardy and The Mayor of Casterbridge
Chapterwise Detailed Summary of the Novel
Comprehensive Discussion on all Important Textual Aspects
Important University Questions with Answers
Selected Literary Criticism