The Mayor of Casterbridge

The contrast of qualities in literary characters greatly increases their complexity. Thomas Hardy’s novel, Mayor Of Casterbridge, uses the good and evil in Michael Henchard’s life to depict him as a very complex character. Revolving around an oath he makes, he is able to develop into a mosaic and complicated individual. Early on, Michael Henchard is expressed as an evil character. He is known as an alcoholic because of his frequent visits to …

…a brother. His positive personality traits are illustrated as he develops new relationships with the people he has come to care about. Henchard’s complexity is easily viewed as this novel revolves entirely on the changes he endears. He is able to express the good in his life after overcoming his evil encounters. The promise that he constructs is able to alter his life for the better, resulting in positive changes for this intricate character.