The weak and the mild die out, and only the strong survive. Similarly, life is often cruel, but if one pays attention to the warning signs, one has a better chance of survival. Far from the Madding Crowd written by Thomas Hardy, is arguably creating a contrast between weak and strong characters between a good life and its rewards. Evidently, Gabriel Oak is the surviving character in the plot thus the protagonist and hero of the novel.
To be able to understand what makes Gabriel Oak exceptional, a careful yet brief study of Hardy’s style in connection with Gabriel Oak will be established in the first paragraph, followed by the symbolism and applicability of the Oak tree in Gabriel’s character in the second paragraph and further detailed in …show more content…
In this setting the Oak stood as a firm reminder that humankind has the ability to overcome all the odds as well as a tremendous capacity for kindness even to strangers whose paths cross. Likewise, Gabriel Oak endures life’s storms and, though they buffet him, emerges unbroken, unlike Boldwood and Bathsheba, who both wreck themselves on misfortune. Similarly, when you are in need of stability and strength in your life- envision the Oak in your mind. Bathsheba fully aware of this quality of Oak’s, uses it to her advantage. Whenever a problem arises or she is concerned about one matter or another, she decides to talk to her former lover, Gabriel Oak conscious of the fact that he will always tell her sound and truthful if not unpleasant advice. Near the end of the novel, she admits that Gabriel Oak has been a mentor to …show more content…
Hardy describes this love in the early part of the novel. Even when Bathsheba rejects his first marriage proposal, he claims, "I shall do one thing in this life—one thing certain—that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die" (4.65). Throughout his time on Bathsheba’s farm, he does not mention once to anyone that he loves Bathsheba. Unlike Boldwood, he does not use his affection for Bathsheba as his sole purpose in life nor does he flatter her like Troy so purposely did. Rather he expresses his devotion to her through ways that are neither frank nor obvious. As a result, Troy and the deeply emotional and obsessive Boldwood, both potentially destructive, represent extremes, and it is for Gabriel, the preserver and creator, to provide the balance to summarize the symbolism of the Oak
To be able to understand what makes Gabriel Oak exceptional, a careful yet brief study of Hardy’s style in connection with Gabriel Oak will be established in the first paragraph, followed by the symbolism and applicability of the Oak tree in Gabriel’s character in the second paragraph and further detailed in …show more content…
In this setting the Oak stood as a firm reminder that humankind has the ability to overcome all the odds as well as a tremendous capacity for kindness even to strangers whose paths cross. Likewise, Gabriel Oak endures life’s storms and, though they buffet him, emerges unbroken, unlike Boldwood and Bathsheba, who both wreck themselves on misfortune. Similarly, when you are in need of stability and strength in your life- envision the Oak in your mind. Bathsheba fully aware of this quality of Oak’s, uses it to her advantage. Whenever a problem arises or she is concerned about one matter or another, she decides to talk to her former lover, Gabriel Oak conscious of the fact that he will always tell her sound and truthful if not unpleasant advice. Near the end of the novel, she admits that Gabriel Oak has been a mentor to …show more content…
Hardy describes this love in the early part of the novel. Even when Bathsheba rejects his first marriage proposal, he claims, "I shall do one thing in this life—one thing certain—that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die" (4.65). Throughout his time on Bathsheba’s farm, he does not mention once to anyone that he loves Bathsheba. Unlike Boldwood, he does not use his affection for Bathsheba as his sole purpose in life nor does he flatter her like Troy so purposely did. Rather he expresses his devotion to her through ways that are neither frank nor obvious. As a result, Troy and the deeply emotional and obsessive Boldwood, both potentially destructive, represent extremes, and it is for Gabriel, the preserver and creator, to provide the balance to summarize the symbolism of the Oak