1. Michael Henchard, while drunk, sells his wife Susan and daughter Elizabeth to a sailor. Nineteen years later, they encounter Henchard again in the town of Casterbridge, where he has become wealthy and the Mayor. 2. A rivalry develops between Henchard and Donald Farfrae, whom Henchard had hired. Farfrae eventually starts his own business and Henchard's fortunes decline. 3. It is revealed that Elizabeth is not actually Henchard's daughter. After various romantic entanglements and public humiliations, Farfrae and Elizabeth announce their engagement. The disgraced Henchard dies alone, having been rejected at the wedding.

1. THOMAS HARDY’S NOVEL, THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE Simple plot of the novel A PowerPoint program designed by Charles Henderson 2006

2. THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE A drunken Michael Henchard sells his wife, susan, and daughter to a sailor named Newsom Insulted, Susan takes her daughter and leaves with the sailor. Henchard searches for his family the next day but can’t find them. 19 Years Pass NEXT

3. Susan learns Michael is in Casterbridge. There, she and Elizabeth find him wealthy and also the Mayor of the city Farfrae, a Scotsman, is hired as Henchard’s manager Henchard re-marries Susan and rejects Lucetta Templeman, with whom he had been “intimate” and had promised to marry someday NEXT

4. page 2 A rift develops between Henchard and Farfrae Farfrae starts his own company He forbids Elizabeth to date Farfrae Henchard eventually fires Farfrae Henchard learns Elizabeth is not his daughter Elizabeth meets Lucetta at the cemetery Susan dies Allows Elizabeth to date Farfrae NEXT

5. Lucetta Templeman arrives and asks Henchard to erase the “blemish” on her name by marrying her Lucetta meets Farfrae Elizabeth moves in with Lucetta Henchard goes Bankrupt because of Speculation on the crops Lucetta and Farfrae marry Elizabeth loses Farfrae NEXT

6. An old woman shows up and exposes Henchard’s past; he is publicly disgraced and forced to resign as mayor Henchard goes to work for Farfrae, who becomes new the Mayor NEXT

7. Henchard returns some incriminating letters he has from Lucetta, but they are intercepted by the town’s people Farfrae then turns his attention again to Elizabeth A public parade ensues; Lucetta is humiliated, and dies of grief NEXT

8. page 3 Farfrae turns his attention again to Elizabeth The sailor, Newsom, shows up and reveals to Henchard that Elizabeth is his real daughter, not Henchard’s. Henchard lies and tells him that she died the previous year. Newsom returns When he learns that Henchard lied to him. FARFRAE AND ELIZABETH ANNOUNCE THEIR MARRIAGE NEXT

9. Henchard leaves Casterbridge in total disgrace Henchard comes to the wedding with a gift and is rejected THE REJECTED HENCHARD LEAVES, AND ATTENDED BY ABEL WHITE, DIES SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE NEWLY MARRIED FARFRAES ARE WITNESS TO HIS LAST REQUEST FOR ANNONIMITY