“The young woman came regularly to milk the healthy cow or to attend to the sick one, but never allowed her vision to stray in the direction of Oak’s person.” (p.21)

Though “seeing” and “looking” as an act hold a similiarity, there is a slight difference between them. We can “see” the things we are not intended to, but there is self-control in “looking”. We have the will to restrict our interest before “looking”.

Normally the girl had an interest in Gabriel but now she feels the need of controling it, due to psychic matters I think. If you don’t believe me, maybe the appearent contradiction in her behavior may convince you. She shows her interest at fixed intervals even towards animals, healthy or unhealthy, respectively, but she is stingy in revealing her concern towards Gabriel. She acts as if he is too far away or not existing at all. She supresses her interest away from her consciousness by focusing her attention at things of subordinate importance, hiding her concern from her self awareness. I think this stems from an ego weakness. The curtain she has drawn between them, her apathetic altitude, the so called “ignorance” can be interpreted as a defence mechanism… Because Gabriel had seen her while she was not ready for it and witnessed her vulnerability, she wants to show herself that she has the control of his looks by not noticing him. All she wants is to straighten her self image and to calm her conflicting inner dynamics at the unconscious level.

He was endeavouring to catch and appreciate the sensation of being thus with her, his head upon her dress, before the event passed on into the heap of bygone things: (23)
Gabriel is aware that it is an extraordinary state that he may not have the chance to live it again, by his own will or wish. He wants to feel and live in that moment thoroughly and recall it later on with vivid perceptions and meaningful sensations. He wants to decode it in his memory in a way that would not allow him forget easily.

Though, on the surface, all he wants is to cherish their proximity and keep that precious moment in the long term memory, I think at this point his subconscious mind intervenes and predominates his conscious awareness. By attaching a fantasy component, a special emotional code to the event, as if they were sincere with each other, or there was a geniue warmth or closeness between them, he wants to meet a subconscious need.

Usually emotional loneliness accompanies illnesses or physical weaknesses, causing a temporary regression state, making us remember those early periods of our life. Compassion appears to be a psychological need at those times. Despite his masculen, strong characteristics, perhaps this is the most vulnerable state Gabriel has faced in his life. He is not only disabled physically but lonely emotionally as well. Here the lap is a place for consolation. It allows gazing, mutual interacation and transfer of affection. It is a skill of motherhood and exalts feminity. (Feminity has pressed down masculanity in that sense). Women, especially the mothers have that strong tool in healing the psychological wounds of their children by conveying compassion and unconditional love. Laying upon her lap, Gabriel must have felt like a little, vulnerable child, interacting with his mother.

By seting up a ground for a strong feeling like love, we can say both of them had witnessed the most vulnerable sides of each other on a subtle, defenseless line that excludes the external world.

…keep wanting you till I die.” His voice had a genuine pathos now, and his large brown hands perceptibly trembled. (p. 34)

The human voice is an impressive tool in personal interactions. Especially the toning is so critical in conveying emotional aspects of the message that it sometimes evokes similiar feelings in the listeners. The sentimental content and expressions in men’s speech, as seldomly as it is, assumed to be more genuine and influential, compared to the opposite sex. Here the listener, namely the girl doesn’t seem to share and reflect his emotions but senses the power of his deep, hidden feelings.

Competency in various fields manifests itself through working hands. They don’t hesitate or rebel our will to accomplish the most hardest, compelling, skilful tasks. The word “handy” means “skilful” literally. Now imagine large, brown, virile hands. How surprising that they are trembling! They instantly demolish and wreck the competent, powerful image of the whole body on behalf of weakness. The observer, namely the girl can not remain indifferent to this image of weakness. She must have recognized her weighty influence over the man’s emotional system.

Gabriel not only has the gut to express his emotions frankly, but takes the risk to be seen weakly, which contradicts his physical strength and impressive sinew. The apparent bodily weakness that is perceived is a sign of the potentiality of his emotions. In fact, this demonstrates his confidence, inner strength and strong character. For most men indeed the powerful physical image is already at hand and acquired without too much effort, so they don’t venture to be seen weak in any way.

“He looked round, and saw a girl racing after him, waving a white handkerchief.
Oak stood still—and the runner drew nearer. It was Bathsheba Everdene. Gabriel’s colour deepened: hers was already deep, not, as it appeared from emotion, but from running.” (p.30)


Historically, white handkerchiefs have been used in place of a white flag to indicate surrender or a flag of truce. And a man like Gabriel with a clear stand could have interpretted her running and waving a handkerchief as a sign of persuation and could easily believe that she was willing to say yes to his proposal.

In old times, handkerchieves had a special place in romantic relationships, especially in nonverbal communication. They are usually waved in greetings or in farewell. Being a small, private and feminine object, it reminds honesty, innocence and purity of the beloved. In Turkish tradition, droping a hankerchief, while passing by a gentlemen was a sign of interest or admiration in the past. In literature, it has special meanings. In Otello, for instance it signifies “love”. Because it belongs to the loved one and carries her smell, touches her face and hands, holds the trace of her tears and deals with her deepest sentiments, it gains special value.

In their interaction with the opposite sex, the people could easily believe in the things they want to believe in. Yet the reality could be the reverse. The emotions and dynamics prevailing in the inner selves could be totaly different. Here the author warns us, especially the men I think, not to judge just by seeing. It could be misleading or deceptive. You can misinterpret the social clues in your interaction with the females, because of your emotions. They are not as straightforward, simple and candid as you are. They are complicated. Women could be tricky and skilled in masking their emotions and genuine feelings. However Gabriel doesn’t hesitate to show his emotions frankly. But the girl though gained physical proximity by runing, kept her distance emotionally. She said: “If I had wanted you I shouldn’t have run after you like this. It would have been the forwardest thing.” The girl’s aunt also lied that many people were after her niece. And how these contrast with the Gabriel’s unassertive, modest manners! “I am only a everyday sort of man and my only chance was in being the first comer” he utters…

Here the excitement of the girl was probably due to the conflict perceived at the psychic level between the id and the superego. Being in a confused state or mood, she was not ready to confront her feelings yet. It can be estimated that her ego was not yet so strong to keep a balance between the id and the superego and she felt the pressing influence of the superego over the id. In order to solve her inner conflict, she was striving to correct the misinformation that her aunt conveyed and clear up the bad image that had fallen upon her.

"Rays of male vision seem to have a tickling effect upon virgin faces in rural districts; she brushed hers with her hand, as if Gabriel had been irritating its pink surface by actual touch" (p.19)

In rural areas, due to the limited interaction or communication between sexes, for man the easiest way to show their interest or liking is by gazing. Steady, attentive looks could be a sign of interest, perhaps an indication of lust, therefore, may carry erotic meaning, pertaining to physical desires, like touching or kissing. We can say that there was something passionate or carnal in Gabriel’s looks, that the girl perceived right away.

The effect of staring is felt on the face, in the first stage of interaction. The rosy color of the face implies its sensitive nature. The face is the background where the five senses are active and ready to analize the impression of the eyes. Although senses like seeing, hearing, smelling and tasting are specific for the face, sense of touch is not restricted with the face. But here, interestingly, the girl interprets his stare with the sense of touch, besides sense of sight! We can say “the desire for touching” which can be estimated to be pressing or strong is transmitted within the look and arouses the sense of touch in the girl. The desire for touching usually stem from compassion or from sensuality. In an affectionate look you don’t carry the desire to possess, hold or dominate, but a lustful look is highly irritating due to its dominating nature.

A metaphoric explanation could be: Like the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, the virgins will be hunted by the unseen arrows thrown from the eyes of the staring males at last. The pink faces are turned into a target board, a ground that the assertive looks are received. The pinkish, rosy color brings to mind freshness, liveliness, excitement, embarrassment, maybe fear. Also the pink face which is attributed to virgins carries purity, innocence and beauty in itself.

"He heard what seemed to be the flitting of a dead leaf upon the breeze and looked. She had gone away." (p.21)

The metaphoric expression such as “flitting of a dead leaf upon the breeze” may evoke thoughts about weakness, avoidance, submission or alteration and so on…Gabriel without seeing the girl going away, just by hearing her departure, had enough time to use his imagination. In this critical moment, the imagination spontaneously interferes and presents a relevant and meaningful picture of the incident. Metaphoric elements taken from the nature stand out in this mental description. Change is natural in nature. Something disappears but never fades away totally. It transforms into something else with a different appearance. Actually there is no place for despair and hopelessness. Nature must have an apparent influence on Gabriels psychic world and sustains and strengthens the integrity of his mental life.

“There was a bright air and manner about her now, by which she seemed to imply that the desirability of her existence could not be questioned; and this rather saucy assumption failed in being offensive because a beholder felt it to be, upon the whole, true.” (p.18)

The narcissistic trait the girl has, I mean “vanity”, stems from the conviction that she has a beautiful face and charming appearance. This notion is not unfounded or groundless. It is also reinforced by external stimuli. Her narcissistic self image is strengthened by attention and feedback she gets from outside. Perhaps the feedback she receives from others gives her the assurance and opportunity to display her beauty as an undeniable reality. The joyful manners indicate her courage to imply it to the eyes of many. To imply something can sometimes be offensive. Because by subjective perception we decide one is desirable or not. Otherwise you intervene that subjectivity and impose something against free judgement.

"Being a man not without a frequent consciousness that there was some charm in this life he led, he stood stil after looking at the sky as a useful instrument, and regarded it in an appreciative spirit, as a work of art superlatively beautiful." (p,13)

When we look at the sky, a new consciousness arises within ourselves. We feel relax to appreciate everything positively in life. With its charming, blue color and broad dimention, as a work of art, it releases us from the restrictions and borders of life, speaks to our souls silently and influentially, evokes feelings of hope, beauty and satisfaction in our hearts. Gabriel as a man of nature, makes use of this benevolent act the sky performs in his soul.

"Gabriel, perhaps a little piqued by the comely traveller’s indifference, glanced back to where he had witnessed her performance over the hedge and said “vanity” (p.7)

In order to eliminate the conflict between the girl and the gate-keeper, he gave two pence from his pocket. At the surface, we can think that he is a peace-loving, even tempered man. (Maybe he is, but!). Here, he wanted to gain something in return. He had the intention to learn something very valuable for him. Maybe this is the first time Gabriel is questioning the masculine impact he awakens on the opposite sex. He was trying to assess his impressiveness from the eyes of the charming girl. But he was demoralized by the girl’s apathic response: namely, disinterest. His peacemaking was not convincing! Probably the girl sensed the real intention behind the so called generous manner, by the caged canary! That’s why she was indifferent towards him.

"The adjustment of the farmer's hazy conceptions of her charms to the portrait of herself she now presented him with was less a diminution than a difference." (p.18)

Though he smartened her up in his mind, he is ready to realize the gap between her actual features and the embellished mental image he ascribed to her in his mind. This gives also some clues about his character as a prudent and moderate man. His imagination or fantasies are not at an extreme level. He wants to know her. He is eager to modify his opinions, thoughts according to her actual reality. In that adjustment, there is no dissappointment but a diminution. There is no downfall in his imagination, but a decrease at a measurable level.

"It was with some surprise that she saw Gabriels face rising like the moon behind the hedge” (p. 18)

I guess that the girl was affected from Gabriel at the first sight. But she is not aware of that yet. She perceives it as a state of surprise at the level of consciousness. Beceause it is not a natural barrier, the hedge, as a hand made enclosure may signify external or internal conditions that restrict the girl (perhaps as a defense mechanism) in several aspects, limiting her freedom. Gabriel face is seen like the moon. Probably he will unexpectedly illuminate her gloomy state and loosen the ties that restrict her. With the rising moon, a new state of mind, a new conviction, optimism, peace will emerge.

pic.credit

"The handsome girl waited for some time idly in her place, and the only sound heard in the stillness was the hopping of the canary up and down the perches of its prison." (p.4)

As mentioned before, “the caged canary” here signifies the vulnerable sides and sensible perceptions in us that serve as a defense mechanism for our complex. Even if we are idle, quiet, inactive and away from worries, we feel their presence, deep within ourselves. They strengthen our psychic self-defense. They never subside and cease to be alert, unless “id” or other negative forces gain control of our psychic world. If the cat grabs and takes hold of the canary, those sensivite sides that alert us from danger will be of no use and will be totally muted.

"There was also a cat in a willow basket, from the partly-opened lid of which she gazed with half-closed eyes, and affectionately surveyed the small birds around." (p.4)


Here “the cat in willow basket” represents lust or libido, that has not displayed its real power or found the courage to show its strength yet. If we define it in terms of the psychic forces it may symbolize id. Though it seems to be inert, (with its half-closed eyes), it is searching for the appropriate time and target. In order to avoid superego, or other self-controling mechanizms, it will manifest itself not directly but in a tricky, deceptive way. Maybe it will make use of emotions like love and affection, that will be dominating at the conscious level. It masks itself, so that it won't be perceived as a destructive force, up untill it reaches its goal and satisfies its desire.

"The girl on the summit of the load sat motionless, surrounded by tables and chairs with their legs upwards, backed by an oak settle,

Perhaps there would be dazzling changes in the lifes of many. The girl would play the central role in the events, taking place. She would be the focus of attention. These changes would be partially without her control and will.

We can say these changes would be a burden, a source of grief. “Sitting motionless” denotes that; she would be in desperate straits because of her thoughtless acts and irresistible drives. See, after all those motions, she would sit motionless. She would be captured by her wrong doings…

With the future events, the psychologic and psychic dynamics of her inner world would take a new form and character. Like those chairs and tables upside down, her established thoughts, emotions and attitutes will change. Her former way of thinking will be of no use and not dependable any more. Probably a new consciousness will arise in the end.

During these turmoil and fluctuations, she would be backed by a reliable, strong force. The "oak settle" here implies Gabriel Oak’s supporting. She will be settled by his backing and will have a relief.

,and ornamented in front by pots of geraniums, myrtles and cactuses, together with a caged canary- all probably from the windows of the house just vacated." (p.4)

The plants here may signify emotions like admiration, love, affection, joy of life, felt at the level of consciousness. The plants with their natural charms evoke such feelings in us, we are not very much aware of due to the rutin chores of everyday life. These flowers are not kept at the window of the old house any more. They will get the attention of many people and evoke similiar thoughts and feelings in them.

The caged canary here may imply innocent, ingenuous feelings of the heart. It may sembolize the most delicate and sensitive perceptions or vulnerable aspects hidden in us. Let me give you a little footnote. The early coal miners carried a caged canary into the mines, as “an early warning device”. They are more sensitive to the deadly fumes. If there was a gas leak, the canary would die, alerting them to the danger of explosion. Like wise sometimes the most intuitive and sensitive sides of us could be life saving in life!

Page 3

"But there is a way some men have, rural and urban alike, for which the mind is more responsible than flesh and sinew: it is a way of curtailing their dimensions by their manner of showing them….Oak walked unassumingly, and with a faintly perceptible bend, yet distinct from a bowing of the shoulders." (p.3)

His posture gives some clues about his inner world, the way he perceives himself. He walks humbly, and unpretentiously. He doesn't count on his appearance or take advantage of his strong, vigorous figure to impress others. Ofcourse it doesn't mean that he is not interested in impressing the other sex by his appearance. Perhaps he hasn't lived such an experience yet. By bending his posture,he is expressing his modesty and unassertiveness towards the external world. Maybe we can say he is using his posture as a cover to conceal his true self or inner strength. He is contended with himself and conscious of his self value.

"He was at the brightest period of masculine growth, for his intellect and his emotions were clearly separated: he had passed the time during which the influence of youth indiscriminately mingles them in the character of impulse, and he had not yet arrived at the stage, wherein they become united again, in the character of prejudice, by the influence of a wife and family." (p.3)

The traditional definition of masculinity involves traits such as; independence, pride, resiliency, self control and physical strength. Gabriel not having a family and a wife yet, leads an independent life, not only physically but pschologically/mentally as well. At this age (28) his intellectual mechanisms are free from the weight of his emotions and from the influence of his surrounding. His mental functioning is sufficient for achieving self control. He is a man of sound judgement and stable mood.

Chapter I

Description of Farmer Oak- An Incident

"When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears, his eyes were reduced to chinks and diverging wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun." (p.1)

Farmer Oak, the main, male character of the novel, as his surname recalls, is a man of nature. His farming endeavour not only shapes his character but his soul is nurtured by nature. The first paragraph sheds light on his mental portrait, his impressive smile, the impression of his eyes as a testimony of his reliable, strong character.

Here let me give some extra information about the oak tree. It is seen as a sign of masculine energy, mighty, strong, enduring and steadfast. In Ogham alphabet, the oak is named by the word Duir (i.e., door) which represents a doorway to inner strength and inner spirituality. It is believed that sitting beneath the mighty Oak brings one spiritual renewal, new understanding and vision. It restores faith in oneself and encourges to take action for future prospects. Source: The Oak Tree King of The Greenwood By By Glennie Kindred.

If we look at the sentences the author uses in the first paragraph, we can interpret this way: When Gabriel Oak smiles, his smile is not false or artificial, but deep from the heart. It changes the whole shape of his face. His eyes which reflects the light of his soul, resembles the rising sun. Darkness, pessimism and fears don’t take root in his inner life. He brings light, hope, warmth and positive energy to his surroundings. You can benefit from his friendship and count on him and feel the joy of life.

I heard a wise man noting once; "the essence of beauty is embedded not in the features of the face but in the expression of the eyes and the smile". Perhaps we can evaluate his impressiveness from this perspective. Any way it is just a connotation.

Hi! Welcome to my blog. You can take your time reading my comments on quoted passages from classical novels. Now that I am working on "Far From the Madding Crowd"/Thomas Hardy (Bantam Classic). I am not a teacher nor a student, only a reader of a sort. I just want to share my delight, perception and thinking in reading classical novels, word by word, sentence by sentence. Though it takes time I love the process itself. Let me give you a secret. This is the first time that I am doing such a literary work. I will be delightful to receive your comments.