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The themes imbedded in Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge are a clear reflection of 19th century attitudes. During the Victorian era there was a strong class emphasis, women were second-class citizens, and there was a culture of prudishness and sexual repression. In this essay I will examine three specific themes and how they reflect the values and attitudes of the 19th century. Firstly I will analyse the importance of reputation, followed by the function and role of females in a patriarchal society. Finally I will look at marriage out of economic necessity and how the novel portrays this. The importance of reputation is a constant theme that stems from the rigid social structure of the 19th century. The structure of the social classes created a large amount of social exclusion and exploitation. This was due to the distinguishable inequalities between the classes - such as wealth, power, authority and working...

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