In Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy uses nature to influence the actions of his shepherd and shepherdess protagonists, Bathsheba Everdene and Gabriel Oak, in two separate episodes involving rainstorms. Hardy's conflict, Far from the Madding Crowd, centers on Bathsheba Everdene's battle with and between her three suitors, Gabriel Oak, William Boldwood, and Francis Troy – and on the battle involving the suitors themselves. Each of these four characters faces internal conflicts with their own desires, motivations, and emotions, in addition to conflicts with each other. The plot follows Bathsheba's relationship with each of these men and culminates with a physical encounter of the three suitors, during which one of them is shot. Bathsheba and Gabriel appear to share the role of protagonist, but Gabriel is ultimately seen as the hero of the novel. The novel is set in the fictional Wessex, England, in the equally fictional county of Weatherbury. These places represent Hardy's vision of the ideal rural setting. Although a time period is never specified, the reader assumes that the novel takes place in the late Victorian period, when Hardy lived and wrote. Hardy uses a third-person omniscient narrator in order to provide the reader with insight into each character's thoughts and situations. His characters are very in contact with nature, especially the main characters, who are a shepherd and a shepherdess. Throughout the novel, nature acts as a driving force or symbol for a character's actions and choices. In Far from the Madding Crowd, Hardy uses parallel nature-related episodes, such as the fire in the cabin, the haystacks and rain on the farm and at the grave, to compare and contrast the motivations and development of the characters, as well as to accentuate general themes. in the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In the two chapters mentioned, nature helps reveal certain character traits. In chapter XXXVII, the storm constitutes a primordial symbol of the destructive character of Troy in the life of Bathsheba. The physical storm, as well as the storm Troy causes in Bathsheba, inspires a greater sense of protection in the already devoted Gabriel. Furthermore, these elements allow Bathsheba's true feelings to shine through when she spontaneously admits that she "...cares a little about [Gabriel's] good opinion..." because "it would be terrible if [he] always thought about wrong to her.” . Chapter XXXVII covers the scenario in which a large storm approaches Bathsheba's farm, where there are uncovered haystacks. The storm wakes Bathsheba and she heads to the millstones to find Gabriel Thatching. She asks Gabriel where her husband is, as he had promised “'...let us take care of the millstones...'” (p. 282). However, “…they are all neglected! » (p. 282). While Troy neglected his duties to Bathsheba and the farm by getting the farm workers drunk in the barn, Gabriel took on responsibilities that were not his and saved the stacks from the storm. In this chapter, Hardy highlights the beauty of the destructive storm. Although it could have destroyed Bathsheba's entire crop and destroyed Boldwood's, the majesty of the storm is much revered. Through the narration, the reader sees that Gabriel, in contact with the love of his life, realizes that during the storm, “…love, life, everything human, seemed small and insignificant in a such close juxtaposition with a furious universe” (p. 284). ). Also under the influence ofmajestic storm, Bathsheba “spoke to Gabriel more warmly that night than she ever had when she was single and free to speak as warmly as she wished” (p. 288). This chapter shows Gabriel's heart of gold in the midst of turmoil and Bathsheba's true emotions for Gabriel begin to show through her stern face. Gabriel's protective character is manifested through his willingness to sacrifice his own safety for the protection of the haystacks and, in return, for the protection of the profits of Bathsheba's harvest. Hardy's narrator contributes by mentioning that Gabriel speaks to Bathsheba “gently like a mother” (p. 287). As they worked together on the millstones, Bathsheba said, "'Gabriel, you are kinder than I deserve!' (p. 285). Furthermore, during Bathsheba's final departure from the ricks and Gabriel, she says: “'Thank you for your devotion, a thousand times over, Gabriel! Good night, I know you are doing your best for me” (p. 287). This quote, near the end of the chapter, shows the budding relationship between Bathsheba and Gabriel inspired by the nature of the disastrous storm. The parallel chapter, chapter XLVI, focuses not on Gabriel as a suitor, but on Troy. Although the courtship and marriage between Bathsheba and Troy is over, this chapter serves to emphasize Troy's true character, who does not deserve Bathsheba, nor a woman's true devotion. The two storms contrast each of these suitors and foreshadow the final destination of Bathsheba's marriage to Gabriel. Chapter XLVI opens at Weatherbury Tower, next to the cemetery in which Fanny Robin is buried, and describes in detail the gorgyls with jets of water. In chapter XLVI, a storm crosses the cemetery where Fanny Robin is buried. The beak of a gurgoyle from Weatherbury Tower channels a stream of water onto Fanny's grave where Troy had prepared a shrine for her. Before long, the storm destroyed all of Troy's work and left the tomb in ruins. Troy awoke to find the destruction of the storm and was immediately dismayed. He abandoned the grave and continued on his way, “avoiding grief by simply postponing it” (p. 359). However, upon Bathsheba's visit to Fanny's grave and after realizing that Troy had erected the monument for Fanny, she asked Gabriel to help her renovate the grave, move the gorgyle's beak and replant the flowers in honor of Fanny. It is later mentioned that around Fanny's grave are "...flowers so carefully planted by Fanny's repentant lover..." (p. 357). This statement highlights Troy's reluctance to act. However, the reader's empathy is quickly revoked after the rainstorm destroys his work and he abandons all his efforts. Hardy emphasizes Bathsheba's newfound compassion. Although emotionally destroyed by the Trojan storm, she finds it in her heart to rebuild Fanny's tomb. Later, it is evident that Bathsheba had hope for the return of Troy. Bathsheba's motives are clear, but her actions demonstrate a growing compassion. In addition to showing his true character in these chapters, Hardy uses the same natural elements to motivate changes in his characters throughout the novel. Hardy uses these two chapters to illustrate a growing change in Bathsheba. In chapter XXXVII, the reader sees a hint of respect for Gabriel's opinion on Bathsheba's behalf. The incident with Gabriel on the millstones serves as a catalyst for Bathsheba's transformation seen in chapter XLVI. In chapter XXXVII, Gabriel's natural protective instinct is severely tested by the approach of the storm. He wonders, “Was his life so precious to him after all?” Whatwere his prospects that he was so reluctant to take risks, when important and urgent work could not be accomplished with such risks? He resolved to stick to the pile” (p. 281). Gabriel willingly puts himself in danger to protect Bathsheba's harvest. This parallels his will and attempts to protect Bathsheba from Troy, the storm. Although Gabriel does not change much over the course of the story, Hardy uses Bathsheba's nature and changes to emphasize Gabriel's loyalty, honesty, and dedication. In this chapter, it also appears that Bathsheba's coldness towards Gabriel melts. The reader sees physical contact between Bathsheba and Gabriel as she “…grabs him by the sleeve” and he is surprised “…holding his arm” (p. 283). Here, as the intensity of the magnanimous storm is described, Hardy uses nature to draw Bathsheba and Gabriel in close contact. Originally, at Gabriel's suggestion and then throughout the story, Bathsheba tends to push Gabriel away. However, during this storm, Bathsheba confesses her trust in Gabriel and becomes closer to him both physically and emotionally. While Bathsheba's changes in chapter XXXVII primarily concern her relationship with Gabriel, chapter XLVI relates these changes to her character as a whole. Bathsheba remains the same in that she continues to have romantic interest in Troy, despite evidence that he is untrustworthy and unworthy of her attention. Bathsheba, however, changes in her compassion. Throughout the story, readers see Bathsheba's concern for Fanny after Fanny's disappearance and then death. However, Chapter XLVI concretizes this concern as Bathsheba takes on the responsibility of refurbishing Fanny's destroyed tomb. When Troy's work on Fanny's tomb was destroyed, Bathsheba, with the help of the ever-faithful Gabriel, replants the flowers, has the spout repaired, and cleans the tombstone. Bathsheba shows compassion and selflessness that she did not display in other sections of the novel. Additionally, in chapter XLVI, the reader sees a lack of change in Troy. Although his love for Fanny is obvious, his selfishness manifests itself even more strongly when he abandons her grave after the destruction of her work. However, Bathsheba's compassion makes up for Troy's lack of genuine caring. Troy, on the other hand, abandoned the tomb and its earlier efforts after witnessing the destruction of the sanctuary. While Bathsheba's growth is positive, Troy falls back into selfishness. The changes in the characters, as well as their traits, lend themselves to overarching themes and symbols in the novel as a whole. Hardy uses nature to foreshadow events and therefore nature acts as an element of destiny. As mentioned earlier, storms, which usually bring destruction, tend to symbolize Troy. In the two chapters analyzed, Troy is involved in actions taking place during a storm. In chapter XXXVII, the storm symbolizes and foreshadows the destruction that Troy has and will have on Bathsheba's personality and life. Chapter XLVI shows that nature acts like fate and punishes Troy. During the storm on the haystacks, Troy is in the barn with the drunken farm workers in his charge. Troy was also tasked with protecting the ricks, but fails to do so. Essentially, his presence caused the farm to be destroyed, as did the storm. Bathsheba's affections towards Gabriel during the first storm also foreshadow her true feelings for him which will later be embodied in their marriage. While nature plays both the role of symbol and element of prefiguration in the chapter.