Oak
1. In brief, how does Gabriel Oak’s social position change in this novel from the beginning to the end?
2. What are the most important aspects of Oak’s character?
3. When does Oak come to Bathsheba’s rescue and why?
4. What does Oak warn Bathsheba of?
5. What was Hardy trying to say when he created this character?
Bathsheba
1. What evidence is there that she is vain and knows that she is good looking?
2. When does Bathsheba show the men around her that she is independent?
3. Why does Bathsheba reject Boldwood?
4. Why does Bathsheba marry Troy?
5. In the storm, what she tell Oak which reveals that she trusts him above anyone else?
6. After Troy’s disappearance, how does Bathsheba give Boldwood a glimmer of hope?
7. What is her relationship with Oak like at the end of the novel?
8. What was Hardy trying to say when he created this character?
Boldwood
1. What is Boldwood’s normal state of mind? What was his social position?
2. Why does he become obsessed with Bathsheba?
3. What do you think of the way he proposes to her?
4. What are the signs that he was mad?
5. What was Hardy trying to say when he created this character?
Troy
1. What is Troy’s social position?
2. Why does he reject Fanny Robin?
3. Why does he marry Bathsheba?
4. What are the signs that he is a bad husband? How does his attitude change when he marries her?
5. Why does he fake his own death?
6. Why does he return?
7. What was Hardy trying to say when he created this character?