At the beginning of The Mayor of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard sells his wife and baby daughter to the highest bidder while drunk. He immediately regrets his actions and swears off drink for years. In time, he builds himself up, becoming the mayor of the town, and his wife and daughter eventually return to him, nearly two decades later. The novel examines the importance of a person's reputation, as Henchard eventually loses everything again after his past actions and relationships are revealed.
M ichael Henchard is traveling with his wife Susan looking for employment as a hay trusser When they stop to eat Henchard gets drunk and in an auction that begins as a joke but turns serious he sells his wife and their baby daughter Elizabeth Jane to Newson a sailor for five guineas In the morning Henchard regrets what he has done and searches the town for his wife and daughter Unable to find them he goes into a church and swears an oath that he will not drink alcohol for twenty one years the s