The Mayor of Casterbridge

Casterbridge is a rural town, dependent on crops to survive. Wheat, corn, and hay are the main produce of the region. They not only provide food to the people of Casterbridge but also wealth. The community’s involvement in the production of crops is evidenced during the nighttime harvest. As is tradition, the light of the moon allows the townspeople to come together and reap the crops in the fields. Far more than usual, everyone in the town is involved. Everyone understands the importance of a good harvest for the prosperity of Casterbridge as a whole, so the entire community goes out and works. This level of social engagement illustrates why the crops symbolize the community of Casterbridge.

Once they are harvested, the crops become a commodity. Wheat and hay can be bought and sold, both in the market of Casterbridge and in the nearby market towns. The use of crops as a commodity means that there is money to be made. Even a poor man can—with the right investments in crops—become very wealthy. Both Henchard and Farfrae arrive in Casterbridge with nothing to their name. Henchard is a poor farm laborer, while Farfrae is on his way to America in search of opportunity.