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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelThis thesis mainly deals with fate?s interferences that bring in the misfortunes of
the major character in The Mayor of Casterbridge, Henchard. It talks about how
Henchard?s character traits invite conflicts that happen in his life, which bring him
to his misfortune at the end when fate interferes. Henchard?s character traits like
some of these: bad temper, too much pride and obsession, become the source of
many of his conflicts. Fate interferes in Henchard?s conflicts. Fate interferes in
Henchard?s conflicts and causes the downfall and his misfortunes. By analyzing
the novel by means of the literary theory and the psychological theory, I want to
know about how fate interferes that bring Henchard?s misfortune as the major
character in The Mayor of Casterbridge. In fact, this study aims to show the ways
of how fate interferes in Henchard?s life that brings him to his misfortune at the
end. Henchard has always good plans in his struggles. First is he wants to
maintain his position as a Mayor, then he wants to claim Elizabeth Jane as his
own daughter, and makes Lucetta his wife. These plans are perfectly settled until
fate ruins his plans. Fate ruins his plans in many ways. First is by his conflict
with nature. Second is by his conflict with the society, then the last is by his
conflict against the other characters, which are Susan, Elizabeth Jane, Farfrae and
Lucetta. Henchard is a man of character. His character is so complex, that he can
be cruel and nice at the same time. Henchard?s character trait invites many of his
conflicts. Nevertheless, he is always optimistic that he can win over his conflicts
by his perfect plans. Unfortunately, fate always interferes while he has his
conflicts. This makes him lose from all of his conflicts against nature, men as
well as his conflict against the society. The fact that he loses from his conflicts
because fate interferes, causes Henchard?s misfortunes. Thus, since Henchard?s
character traits invite many of his conflicts, I use the theory of characterization
and the theory of conflict to reveal about his unfortunate life. Through this study,
I want to prove that fate really causes Henchard?s downfall by its interference
through the character of Henchard and I also want to prove how he deals with his
conflicts that lead him to his unfortunate life when fate interferes. For the
analysis, I use some literary approach with characterization and conflict as the
tools to prove how fate interferes Henchard?s life. (By this analysis, I want the
readers to gain more understanding on the issue that is fate, and also to make them
familiar with this great author).