In The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy, Susan Henchard's innate dependence on men manifests itself in multiple ways and in multiple cases. However, the most notable is when Susan reunites with Michael Henchard in Casterbridge after 18 years apart. Instead of telling him the truth about the untimely death of their baby, Elizabeth-Jane Henchard, who is introduced in the novel's opening scenes, allows him to assume that his daughter and Elizabeth-Jane Newson, the daughter of Susan and the sailor , are the same person. Susan allows this assumption to continue until her death, effectively deceiving Henchard in exchange for protection and funds for her daughter. Although Susan puts her and her daughter's needs ahead of the truth, Elizabeth-Jane's presence benefits Henchard as she provides strong support towards the end of his life. Susan's deception, fueled by the need for a male figure for herself and her daughter, is ironic because even though Susan deceives Henchard in order to gain a support system, Henchard ends up dependent on the strong will of Elizabeth-Jane. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Susan's need for male support manifests itself in her desire to remain faithful to the men in her life despite the misery associated with her situation. In the opening scenes of the novel, as Susan and Michael Henchard walk towards Weydon Fair, Thomas Hardy describes the couple as solemn and silent, never touching each other. As the night's events unfold, the couple's discontent becomes clearer as Susan sits alongside her drunken husband in the furmity tent and whispers, "'Michael, you already said that nonsense in public places. A joke is a joke, but you risk repeating it one time too many!' » (10). From Susan's statements, it can be inferred that this is not the first time Michael Henchard has made offensive comments and that she remained faithful throughout their marriage despite his often humiliating and drunken remarks. Even in her final moments as Henchard's wife, she obeys his wish to sell her, then transfers all loyalty to Newson. However, Susan's ideas of dependency manifest again in her marriage to Newson, as she ignores her own emotional suffering and remains faithful to their "marriage". Although Susan becomes unhappy with her relationship, it is not until Newson frees her, by "dying" at sea, that she leaves. However, it is no coincidence that Susan immediately sets out to find Henchard, hoping that he has improved his life enough to be able to provide for herself and Elizabeth-Jane. Susan is so desperate for the male support she could get by rekindling her relationship with Henchard that she is willing to deceive him and allow him to believe that Elizabeth-Jane Newson is his daughter. Despite Susan's disdain for Henchard and her sole concern with finding male support for her daughter, the results of Susan's decision end up having a positive impact on Henchard. Susan's motive for finding Henchard was the search for a better life for her daughter, which she believed had to be achieved through a male presence; she would do anything to gain such male influence. At the beginning of the novel, the reader is completely unaware that Susan has a reason to deceive Henchard, because Hardy makes the reader believe that she is a genuine and straightforward character, having to reason with or deceive her husband. Remembering the moments in the lecture hall when Susan and Henchard first reunited after 18 years apart, Susan says: “'I came here for Elizabeth's sake; for me, if youtell me to leave again tomorrow morning and not to come near you again, I’m happy to leave” (73). Although this statement still holds true in light of the novel's ending, in hindsight it is easy to see how Susan is deceiving Henchard. Susan lets Henchard believe that her own daughter needs stability and protection, when in reality the girl is not hers. In Susan's eyes, she and her surviving daughter, Elizabeth-Jane Newson, desperately need the support of men, especially knowing of her imminent death due to illness. However, Elizabeth-Jane is a much more independent character than her mother and does not need the same assistance. Elizabeth-Jane is not only able to take care of herself, but also, ironically, to take care of the "father" who was expected by her late mother to provide for her. Elizabeth-Jane's function at the end of the novel is rather ironic because she plays an important role in supporting the man who was initially supposed to support her. Susan had initially planned to trick Henchard into caring for Elizabeth-Jane until her wedding day, when he would discover through her letter that she was not really his daughter. Susan had expected Henchard to remain a prominent member of society, capable of caring for Elizabeth-Jane until she passed to her husband. Unfortunately, after Susan's death, many unpredictable twists and turns occur in the storyline, leaving Henchard bankrupt and depressed. Although Henchard was unable to care for Elizabeth-Jane as Susan had so carefully planned before her death, Elizabeth-Jane was much more independent and willing to care for herself and the man she she believed she was her father, despite his previous mistreatment of her. . When Elizabeth-Jane realizes the extent of Henchard's depression as they look at the stream where he almost killed himself, she holds out her hand: “'Father! - I won't leave you alone like this!' she cried. “Can I live with you and take care of you like before?” It doesn't bother me that you are poor. I would have accepted this morning, but you didn't ask me. » Elizabeth-Jane's attitude towards Henchard shows the independence that her mother did not expect from her. Elizabeth-Jane is not only willing to help Henchard, but she also insists on it, regardless of the fact that the expectations of their relationship were originally very different. The character of Elizabeth-Jane is intriguing because, unlike her mother, she is self-sufficient and does not need the male support that her mother tries to obtain. Although Susan seems willing to do anything to protect her daughter, even lying and cheating on her husband, Elizabeth-Jane is still able to thrive when her mother's plan backfires. After Henchard's bankruptcy, among his other problems, Elizabeth-Jane ironically becomes a pillar of support for Henchard, keeping him alive. Despite the early circumstances of her life, Elizabeth-Jane is able to thrive without a man to rely on. Elizabeth-Jane shattered her mother's idea that she needed a male figure in her life to support her. In reality, Susan's efforts to rekindle her marriage to Henchard were more beneficial to Henchard than to Elizabeth-Jane. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The Irony of Henchard and Elizabeth -Jane's relationship is an important but easily overlooked element of Hardy's story. While Susan seeks male support for Elizabeth-Jane, she ignores Henchard; However, the results of his efforts have a positive impact on his life, and even save him for a moment from the clutches.