Many people often find that they are deeply connected to a certain place or town. Such is the case in the novel the Mayor of Casterbridge written by Thomas Hardy. In Hardy's novel, character and setting are two conditions that are deeply tied. The main character in the novel is Michael Henchard. His personality is deeply tied to the Ring amphitheater in the town of Casterbridge. He uses it as a meeting place, and a …showed first 75 words of 673 total…

…showed last 75 words of 673 total…same disrepair and social outcast that the Maumbry Rings suffered. When Thomas Hardy writes, he does not just write an interesting plot, or a social commentary, like many authors do. His novel causes readers to think deeply, to look for and see connections. To the skilled reader, the Mayor of Casterbridge can be likened to mental gymnastics. The connections between plot, setting, and character add another, deeper level to the novel, enriching the reading experience.