Psychological Analysis Of Michael Henchard s The Mayor...

A psychological analysis of Michael Henchard, the protagonist of Thomas Hardy’s novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, determines that Henchard suffers from numerous forms of distress. This analysis allows me to agree with Jeff’s statement that Henchard is the most psychologically complex character in the novel. The character’s complexity is discerned through his unstable judgments, beliefs and actions which will be considered and dissected in this essay. Henchard’s ambiguity makes it difficult to place him in one specific category of psychological distress. In this essay, I shall examine Michael Henchard’s character to argue that he fits the description of having Borderline Personality Disorder. Jeff stated in class that Henchard’s consideration and loyalty to his vow increases the reader’s respect for him. Although there may be some truth to Jeff’s statement, I would suggest that the recognition of Henchard as someone who suffers from uncontrollable distress has more of an impact on the reader’s attitude towards him. In order to analyze Henchard’s character, I must first qualify my statements by saying that there is no single disorder that encapsulates Henchard’s distress. Also, it is not a given that a person suffering from a particular disorder will have all the symptoms. With that being said, the assertion of this essay is that Henchard suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. Henchard meets the diagnostic criteria for this disorder because the traits he displays are