Gabriel also recognizes the carefully delineated social distinctions of the Weatherbury community, and knows enough not to try to claim a higher place in it than is his due-a strategy that ultimately proves successful. He sees his love for Bathsheba as a burden he must bear, and he simultaneously tries to do all he can for her while feeling the need to rebuke her when he thinks she’s not living up to his high standards. Over and over again, he proves what a decent human being he is: he puts out the fire, saves the lambs, and protects the ricks while Troy plies the other workers with brandy. But as a result of Bathsheba’s refusal to marry him, as well as his misfortune, he becomes stoic, brave, and loyal. He can be quick to judge, as when he labels Bathsheba vain, and he can be thoughtless, as when he says out loud to her that he really should marry someone wealthier than she is. He is no longer a young man but not yet fully adult, and he has a generally good reputation. 'Love is a possible strength in an actual weakness.' Bathsheba Everdene strong, wilful, independent and, above all, beautiful, Bathsheba is a woman ahead of her time. Book Summary Bathsheba Everdene has the enviable problem of coping with three suitors simultaneously. At the beginning of the book, he is a more or less average person. Far From the Madding Crowdis the poignant, moving and brilliant story of Bathsheba Everdene and her three suitors. For him the tragedy happens rather early on when his dog runs his sheep-which represent his life’s savings and investment-over a cliff, and he is left penniless. Gabriel, like Bathsheba, changes over the course of the novel as a result of tragedy.

The madding crowd book