The Mayor of Casterbridge: Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Elizabeth-Jane must endure Henchard’s sudden change in behavior towards her. He confessed the truth of her parentage with affection and emotion, but from the next day onward he is cold to her. He often grows angry at her use of commonplace, or low-class, words or phrases, such “bide as you be” rather than “stay where you are.” Elizabeth-Jane is already working to improve herself and her mind by reading, and Henchard, as a man of low origin himself, often unfairly criticizes her lack of breeding. Elizabeth-Jane changes her speech to reflect her position as the mayor’s daughter and her father’s wishes.

One evening when Henchard is meeting with a gentleman on business, he calls Elizabeth-Jane in to write down an agreement between the men. He is ashamed to see her bold, inelegant handwriting, and dismisses her, saying he will finish writing himself.

Elizabeth-Jane natural consideration for others also sparks Henchard’s anger when she thanks the maid or does something herself instead of ringing for assistance. Such behavior reveals her self-sufficient, lower class upbringing. Despite Henchard’s outbursts, Elizabeth-Jane prefers his passion to his neglect, which becomes more frequent as she schools herself into a proper young lady.

Elizabeth-Jane often provides a small meal or drinks for one of Henchard’s workers, a woman named Nance Mockridge. Henchard sees this and exclaims that Elizabeth-Jane will shame him for lowering herself to wait on such a woman. Nance, overhearing this, says that Elizabeth-Jane once waited on others of lower character for hire at The King of Prussia. Elizabeth-Jane admits the truth of this information.

From that day onward, Henchard showed an obvious distaste for the girl who is not his own daughter. He often leaves her alone for meals and she fills her solitary hours by learning Latin and studying incessantly. Elizabeth-Jane continues her quiet and lonely existence, crushing, through force of will, her interest in Farfrae whom she had been forbidden to see.

Although winter is arriving, on the nicer days Elizabeth-Jane walks in the morning to visit her mother’s grave. One morning, Elizabeth-Jane sees another woman in the graveyard standing at her mother’s grave and reading the tombstone. This other woman is much more finely dressed than Elizabeth-Jane, though also in mourning. Elizabeth-Jane’s nature is not envious, so she wonders about the woman, supposing her to be a stranger in Casterbridge. Eventually the woman leaves and Elizabeth-Jane returns home without speaking to her.

At home, Henchard is particularly upset. His term for mayor is ending and Farfrae will be selected as a member of the Council, rather than himself. He also has learned that Farfrae was one whom Elizabeth-Jane waited on in The King of Prussia, which he considers another slight to his position and himself. He explodes at Elizabeth-Jane after she mistakenly uses the commonplace term “leery” to refer to her exhaustion.

Henchard contemplates his decision to warn Farfrae away from Elizabeth-Jane when he thought her his own daughter, whereas he now wishes his enemy would take the girl off his hands. He composes a note to Farfrae saying that he may court Elizabeth-Jane, so long as the business does not occur in his own home.

The next morning, Elizabeth-Jane returns to the graveyard. Depressed and feeling the weight of her father’s scorn, she exclaims aloud, “I wish I was dead with dear mother.” The woman from the previous day is also revealed to be in the graveyard and she overhears Elizabeth-Jane. The woman asks about her dead mother and then inquires after her father, who she knows to be Mr. Henchard.

Elizabeth-Jane tells the woman of her history and her quarrel with Henchard. The woman seems strangely unable to criticize Henchard, insisting that he cannot be a bad man, while at the same comforting Elizabeth-Jane, who is all too willing to admit her own fault in the situation. The woman is not shocked by Elizabeth-Jane’s tale, and invites the young woman to come live in her own house, as her companion. Elizabeth-Jane enthusiastically agrees, saying that she would love to be independent from her father, but quickly says she is not accomplished and lady-like, as a companion must be. The woman says she is moving to Casterbridge, and the two agree to meet again the following week, once Elizabeth-Jane has thought over her proposal.