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 CASTERBRIDGESimple plot of the novelA PowerPoint program designed by Charles Henderson2006

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

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

4. page 2A rift develops between Henchard and FarfraeFarfrae starts his own companyHe forbids Elizabeth to date FarfraeHenchard eventually fires FarfraeHenchard learns Elizabeth is not his daughterElizabeth meets Lucetta at the cemeterySusan diesAllows Elizabeth to date FarfraeNEXT

5. Lucetta Templeman arrives and asks Henchard to erase the “blemish” on her name by marrying herLucetta meets FarfraeElizabeth movesin with LucettaHenchard goesBankrupt because ofSpeculation on thecropsLucetta and Farfrae marryElizabeth loses FarfraeNEXT

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

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

8. page 3Farfrae turns his attention again to ElizabethThe 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 returnsWhen he learns thatHenchard lied to him.FARFRAE AND ELIZABETH ANNOUNCE THEIR MARRIAGENEXT

9. Henchard leavesCasterbridge intotal disgraceHenchard comes to the wedding with a gift and is rejectedTHE REJECTED HENCHARD LEAVES, AND ATTENDED BY ABEL WHITE, DIES SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE NEWLY MARRIED FARFRAES ARE WITNESS TO HIS LAST REQUEST FOR ANNONIMITY