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 that they involve rain storms. The conflict of Hardy's 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 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 in a physical meeting of the three suitors, in which one is killed. Bathsheba and Gabriel appear to share the protagonist role, but ultimately Gabriel is seen as the hero of the novel. The novel is set in the fictional area of ​​Wessex, England, in the equally fictional county of Weatherbury. These places represent Hardy's vision of the ideal rural environment. Although a time period is never specified, the reader assumes that the novel is set during the late Victorian period, when Hardy lived and wrote. Hardy uses a third-person omniscient narrator to provide the reader with in-depth insight into each character's thoughts and situations. His characters are very in touch 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 incidents involving nature, such as the fire in the cabin, the haystacks and rain on the farm, and at the grave to compare and contrast character motivations and development, as well as accentuate overall themes. in the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In both the chapters mentioned, nature provides the outlet for the revelation of certain character traits. In Chapter XXXVII, the storm serves as an overarching symbol of Troy's destructiveness in Bathsheba's life. The physical storm, like the storm that Troy causes in Bathsheba, inspires a greater sense of protection in the already devout Gabriel. Furthermore, these elements allow Bathsheba's true feelings to shine through as she spontaneously confesses that "...she cares a little about [Gabriel's] good opinion..." because "it would be terrible for [him] to always think wrongly about her". Chapter XXXVII covers the scenario in which a great storm approaches Bathsheba's farm, where haystacks lie exposed. The storm awakens Bathsheba and she heads to the dens to find Gabriel covered in straw. She asks Gabriel where her husband is, as he had promised "'...that the piles should be taken care of...'" (p. 282). However, "'...they're all neglected!" (p. 282). While Troy neglected his duties to Bathsheba and the farm while getting the farmhands drunk, Gabriel took on responsibilities that were not his and saved the Ricks from the storm. In this chapter, Hardy highlights the beauty of the destructive storm. Even though it could have destroyed all of Bathsheba's crops, and did destroy Boldwood's as well, the majesty of the storm is greatly revered. Through the narrative, the reader sees that Gabriel, in touch with the love of his life, realizes that during the storm, "...love, life, everything human, seemed small and insignificant in such a close contrast with an enraged universe" (p. 284). Even under the influence of the majestic storm, Bathsheba “spoke to Gabrielthat night more warmly than she had ever done while unmarried and free to speak as warmly as she wanted” (p. 288). This chapter shows Gabriel's heart of gold in the midst of the turmoil, and Bathsheba's true emotions for Gabriel begin to shine through her stern exterior. Gabriel's protectiveness is shown through his willingness to sacrifice his own safety for the protection of the haystacks and, in turn, for the protection of Bathsheba's harvest profit. Hardy's narrator contributes, mentioning that Gabriel speaks to Bathsheba “kindly like a mother” (p. 287). During their work together on the coconuts, Bathsheba says, "'Gabriel, you are kinder than I deserve!" (p. 285). Furthermore, after Bathsheba's final departure from the Ricks and Gabriel, she says “'Thank you for your devotion, a thousand times over, Gabriel! Goodnight, I know you're doing your best for me'” (p. 287). This quote, near the end of the chapter, shows the emerging relationship between Bathsheba and Gabriel inspired by the nature of the disastrous storm. The parallel chapter, chapter XLVI, emphasizes not Gabriel as the suitor, but Troy. Although Bathsheba and Troy's courtship and marriage are over, this chapter serves to highlight Troy's true character, undeserving of Bathsheba, or any woman's true devotion. The two storms serve to thwart 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 where Fanny Robin is buried, and details the gorgoyles with water jets. In Chapter XLVI, a storm passes through the cemetery where Fanny Robin is buried. The spout of a gorgoyle from Weatherbury Tower channels a stream of water onto Fanny's grave where Troy had prepared a shrine for her. Within a short time, the storm destroyed all of Troy's work and left the tomb in chaos. Troy awoke to discover the storm's destruction and was immediately dismayed. He abandoned the grave and moved on, "evading the pain by simply updating it" (p. 359). However, after Bathsheba's visit to Fanny's tomb and the realization that Troy had erected the monument for Fanny, she asked Gabriel to help her renovate the tomb, move the spout of the gorgoyle, and replant the flowers in Fanny's honor. It is later mentioned that around Fanny's grave there are “…flowers so carefully planted by Fanny's repentant lover…” (p. 357). This statement makes clear Troy's reluctance towards his actions. However, the reader's empathy is quickly revoked after the rainstorm destroys his work and he abandons all effort. Hardy emphasizes Bathsheba's newfound compassion. Although emotionally shattered by the Trojan Storm, she finds it in her heart to rebuild Fanny's tomb. Afterwards it is evident that Bathsheba was hoping for the return of Troy. Bathsheba's motives are clear, but her actions show growing compassion. In addition to showing 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 exemplify a growing change in Bathsheba. In chapter XXXVII, the reader sees a hint of respect for Gabriel's opinion on behalf of Bathsheba. The incident with Gabriel over the Ricks serves as the catalyst for Bathsheba's transformation seen in Chapter XLVI. In Chapter XXXVII, Gabriel's natural instinct to protect is stimulated by the approaching storm. He wonders: “After all, was his life so precious to him? What were his prospects for being so cautious in taking risks, when important and urgent work could not be carried forward with suchrisk? He decided to stick with the stack” (p. 281). Gabriel willingly puts himself in danger to protect Bathsheba's harvest. This parallels his willingness and attempts to protect Bathsheba from Troy, the storm. Although Gabriel does not change much throughout the story, Hardy uses the nature and changes in Bathsheba to emphasize Gabriel's loyalty, honesty, and dedication. In this chapter it is also evident that Bathsheba's coldness towards Gabriel is melting. The reader sees physical contact between Bathsheba and Gabriel as she “…grabs his sleeve” and he is caught “…holding her arm” (p. 283). Here, as the intensity of the magnanimous storm is described, Hardy uses nature to draw Bathsheba and Gabriel in close contact. Initially, at Gabriel's proposal and then throughout the story, Bathsheba tends to push Gabriel away. However, during this storm, Bathsheba confesses her trust in Gabriel and grows 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 as she continues to have a 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 responsibility for renovating Fanny's destroyed tomb. When Troy's work on Fanny's grave was destroyed, Bathsheba, with the help of the ever faithful Gabriel, replants the flowers, has the spout repaired, and cleans the headstone. Bathsheba shows compassion and selflessness that she has not shown in the other sections of the novel. Furthermore, in chapter XLVI, the reader sees a lack of change in Troy. Although his love for Fanny is evident, his selfishness is shown even more strongly when he abandons her grave after his work is destroyed. However, Bathsheba's compassion makes up for Troy's lack of true care. Troy, on the other hand, abandoned the tomb and its previous efforts after seeing the destruction of the sanctuary. While Bathsheba's growth is positive, Troy returns to selfishness. The changes in the characters, as well as their traits, lend themselves to overarching themes and symbols within the novel as a whole. Hardy uses nature to foreshadow events and therefore nature acts as an element of destiny. As mentioned above, storms, which usually bring destruction, tend to symbolize Troy. In both chapters analyzed, Troy is involved in actions that occurred 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 finds nature acting as fate and punishing Troy. During the haystack storm, Troy is in the barn with the drunken farmhands he is responsible for. Troia was also responsible for protecting the Ricks, but she doesn't. Essentially, his presence brought destruction to the farm, as did the storm. Bathsheba's affection towards Gabriel during the first storm also foreshadows her true feelings for him which are later embodied in their marriage. While in chapter XXXVII nature served as both a symbol and an element of foreshadowing, in chapter XLVI nature serves as an element of destiny. In chapter XLVI, nature, by means of a rainstorm, acts as fate by punishing Troy for her wrongs towards Bathsheba and, in retrospect, Fanny Robin. The storm that comes after Fanny's burial acts as.