Novel Approaches: ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ by Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy's *The Mayor of Casterbridge* is analyzed for its tragic themes, historical context, and literary techniques. The discussion centers on Henchard's character as a figure of tragic excess, driven by uncontrollable emotions and magnanimity, leading to his downfall. The novel's setting, Casterbridge, functions almost as a character itself, layering Roman and pagan history to dwarf the individual dramas. The panel also explores the limited agency of female characters like Elizabeth Jane and Lucetta, and how social class and transgressions against patriarchal norms contribute to the characters' fates. The podcast further examines Hardy's narrative style, noting its blend of realism, melodrama, and allegorical elements, distinguishing it from other Victorian novelists.