;Farfrae would never recognize him more than superciliously; his poverty ensured that, no less than his past conduct. And so Elizabeth would grow to be a stranger to him, and the end of his life would be a friendless solitude”(381). However, Elizabeth-Jane is not influenced negatively by Farfrae. Henchard is rejected only when Elizabeth-Jane discovers the selfish lie her stepfather had told to keep Newson from her. Elizabeth-Jane is also rejected by Henchard after he discovers that she is not his real daughter. Henchard is angered when Elizabeth-Jane thanks the parlour maid for everything and it is here that she realizes that “[t]he increasing frequency of the latter mood told her the sad news that he disliked her with a growing dislike”(202). Upon Newson’s quiet arrival, Henchard announces that he is leaving Casterbridge which makes Elizabeth-Jane feel rejected all over again. Noticing the treatment she receives from Henchard compared to the treatment Lucetta receives “she could not help asking what she had done to be neglected so, after the professions of solicitude he [Henchard] had made”(250). Elizabeth’s question is a legitimate one. It must be acknowledged that, when contrasting the two characters, Elizabeth does no wrong to deserve rejection whereas Henchard wrongs his daughter and deserves the rejection he receives. Henchard and Elizabeth-Jane feel pain because of rejection by others; however, that pain isn’t lessened when they do the rejecting. In the opening of the novel, Henchard rejects Susan and his responsibility to the child. However, this rejection is unintentional because he is under the influence of alcohol. We can see that Henchard regrets his actions when he searches for his wife and daughter. Later, Henchard regrets his actions when he searches for his wife and daughter. Later, Henchard rejects Elizabeth-Jane because his parental pride is hurt when he fin...
