The Mayor of Casterbridge: Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

After Henchard’s departure from Farfrae’s celebrations, Elizabeth-Jane remains for a brief while, distressed that she in someway must have offended her father or her position as the mayor’s daughter by dancing with Farfrae. She leaves the pavilion to walk home and encounters Farfrae who asks to walk with her. Farfrae has just left Henchard, after his pronouncement that Farfrae would soon leave his employ, and he shares this information with Elizabeth-Jane.

Elizabeth-Jane lets out a quiet sigh of disappointment when she fears that Farfrae will leave for another part of the world. Farfrae impulsively says that he wishes he were richer or that he had not offended her father, or he would have that very night asked her a certain question. He is not more specific than this, and she is fearfully shy and does not encourage him. She does, however, say that she wishes he would not leave Casterbridge.

At home, Elizabeth-Jane ponders over Farfrae’s unwillingness to ask her the question that he might have. She had observed his growing popularity in town, as well as her stepfather’s temper, so the announcement that he would no longer be manager did not surprise her. But she wonders again whether he would, in fact, quit the town, and over the following days her anxiety to know the course of his actions only increases, as she can no longer hide from herself the reason for her interest in Farfrae’s situation.

Word spreads through Casterbridge that Farfrae has purchased a small-scale corn and wheat merchant business in Casterbridge. He does not plan to leave town and has instead set himself up as an independent businessman in the same business as Henchard. Elizabeth-Jane persuades herself that Farfrae does not care for her. She dresses up in her outfit from the night of the celebration and looks in the mirror, theorizing that her appearance must have inspired a fleeting regard, but nothing lasting.

Henchard is furious at what he perceives to be Farfrae’s betrayal in setting up competition with himself. He vows that he will overbid Farfrae and that he knows his business better than the young man. At home, Henchard sees Elizabeth-Jane and warns her that he never wants her to see the young man, his enemy, again. To ensure this, Henchard sends a note to Farfrae expressing his desire that he no longer contact or visit Elizabeth-Jane.

Farfrae sets up his business far from Henchard’s, on Durnover Hill. He feels there is room enough for both of them in Casterbridge and does not plan to steal Henchard’s customers. Farfrae goes so far as to refuse a good customer because he had recently dealt with Henchard, citing Henchard’s kindness to him and his refusal to hurt Henchard’s business in any way. Despite this approach, Farfrae’s business thrives, mainly due to his character, which is happy and energetic, and well liked by all.

Every Saturday, the once-friends encounter each other at the marketplace. Whereas Farfrae is always friendly, Henchard angrily storms by him. Farfrae’s name is no longer used in Henchard’s household, and if Susan accidently mentions the young man, Henchard accuses her of also being his enemy.