What are the main themes in "The Mayor of Casterbridge?"
Penned by Thomas Hardy and published in 1886, "The Mayor of Casterbridge" charts the rise and fall of Michael Henchard, a proud and volatile protagonist, whose destiny is shaped by a fateful drunken mistake. In this novella, Hardy explores several themes, including:

- The importance of character: While certainly not a heroic protagonist, Henchard's determination to suffer for his past mistakes is presented by the author as a sign of genuine repentance and as a testament to his strength of character.
- The importance of a good name: Henchard works hard to build his reputation in Casterbridge, climbing to the heights of civic leader. Throughout the novella, Henchard's own self-destructive actions serve to destroy his good name.
- The indelibility of the past: Henchard's decision to sell his wife and child haunts him for many years to come and he finds that he cannot erase the mistakes of his past.
