Power Behind Repression-A Feminist Reading Of Bathsheba In Far From The Madding Crowd

Far from the Madding Crowd is Thomas Hardy's the fourth novel and his first major literary success. The novel is often described as an early piece of feminist literature. Hardy shows his sympathy to women's life and he is much concerned about the movement to improve their status as well. Many women in the nineteenth century attempt to change their traditional roles as housewives and mothers by receiving higher position in the society to improve their life. They expect to take part in such aspects of life as economic, political, and educational fields as men do.The thesis is devoted to analyzing the heroine, Bathsheba in the novel Far from the Madding Crowd from the perspective of feminism. Many feminist characteristics are embodied in terms of her education, career, love and marriage. In comparison with traditional women in Victorian Era, Bathsheba is an intellectual well-educated new woman. As the woman farm manager, she runs the farm very well with her intelligence in a male-dominated business society and becomes a successful business woman like men. Driven by Boldwood and Troy's coerce in love and marriage, she maintains her independence and freedom, trying not to be men's property. As a matter of fact, she succeeds through unremitting efforts. In a sense, Bathsheba is a real feminist example not only in Victorian era but in modern times.This thesis consists of three parts. The first part is the introduction including feminist theory and Hardy's feminist sensibility in Victorian era, as well as literature review of the novel. The second part is the main body of the thesis, which is divided into three chapters.In view of Bathsheba's characteristics of being a well-educated woman, the first chapter analyzes the influence of knowledge and education on her, which makes her very different from the traditional Victorian women. Chapter two discusses Bathsheba's success in business as a woman farmer manager in the male-dominated world, owing to her intelligence and good education. She is equal to men in business. Chapter three makes further research on Bathsheba's individual catachrestics through her love and marriage experiences. It points out that her rejections of proposals by Gabriel and Boldwood actually can be considered as her resistance to the conception of traditional patriarchal society. The third part is the conclusion of the thesis. Through the vivid portrayal of Bathsheba's power and struggle behind the repression, Hardy gives an expression of sensitive feminist theme. He also expresses the praises for the women's independence in patriarchy society.