Far From The Madding Crowd
ISBN 9781776042416

Far from the Madding Crowd

This story of an entrepreneurial young woman trying to make her way in a man’s world is as pertinent today as it was when first published in 1874.

The novel is set in rural England, where Bathsheba tries to succeed as a farmer, facing difficulties of weather or the sickness of her sheep.

Equally difficult, though, are the choices she needs to make concerning the men who are interested in her, and the types of love they offer. This classic novel has lessons that are pertinent in South Africa today, where gender roles and difficult choices constantly affect lives.

Far from the Madding Crowd contains a number of additional features, including:

• An introduction that defines the key aspects of a novel and provides a more detailed understanding of certain features of this story:
  • The plot
  • The characters
  • A biography of the author
  • The context of the novel
  • The novel’s relevance in South Africa today
• A glossary defining and explaining terms and phrases found throughout the novel, to aid learners’ understanding of the text.
• Contextual questions and answers that help to create a deeper understanding of the novel and encourage learners to develop their own critical insights into the story; this section also stimulates discussion in the classroom so that learners can engage with each other

Thomas Hardy