Fanny’s Death and Troy’s Remorse

Far from the Madding Crowd

This conflict flow follows Troy’s late attempt at responsibility and the forces that frustrate it before remorse becomes an excuse for escape.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Promise to Meet A Promise to Meet from "Far from the Madding Crowd". A Conditional Offer The roadside encounter Troy meets Fanny on the Casterbridge road and learns she is destitute.

A Promise to Meet from "Far from the Madding Crowd". A Conditional Offer The roadside encounter Troy meets Fanny on the Casterbridge road and learns she is destitute.

A Conditional Offer The roadside encounter Troy meets Fanny on the Casterbridge road and learns she is destitute. He gives her money and promises to meet her on Monday. A narrow reprieve He directs her to the Union-house for the night. His concern is real, but it arrives after prolonged neglect and does not provide immediate security.

The Missed Meeting The Missed Meeting from "Far from the Madding Crowd". Timing Defeats Intention Troy waits Troy keeps his appointment, but Fanny is already being prepared for burial.

The Missed Meeting from "Far from the Madding Crowd". Timing Defeats Intention Troy waits Troy keeps his appointment, but Fanny is already being prepared for burial.

Timing Defeats Intention Troy waits Troy keeps his appointment, but Fanny is already being prepared for burial. He leaves after waiting and assumes she has again failed to meet him. A mistake compounded He goes to the races rather than making inquiries. His interpretation postpones recognition until the consequences are irreversible.

The Grave and the Flowers The Grave and the Flowers from "Far from the Madding Crowd". A Romantic Act Troy’s tribute Troy buys a costly tombstone and plants flowers on Fanny’s grave.

The Grave and the Flowers from "Far from the Madding Crowd". A Romantic Act Troy’s tribute Troy buys a costly tombstone and plants flowers on Fanny’s grave.

A Romantic Act Troy’s tribute Troy buys a costly tombstone and plants flowers on Fanny’s grave. The gesture expresses remorse and grief that his earlier conduct did not prevent. Nature undoes the gesture Rain from the church gargoyle washes out the planting. Troy reads the damage as a sign of rejection and abandons the possibility of returning to Bathsheba.

News at the Grave News at the Grave from "Far from the Madding Crowd". Remorse Made Public Bathsheba sees the monument Bathsheba finds Troy’s inscription and the washed-out grave.

News at the Grave from "Far from the Madding Crowd". Remorse Made Public Bathsheba sees the monument Bathsheba finds Troy’s inscription and the washed-out grave.

Remorse Made Public Bathsheba sees the monument Bathsheba finds Troy’s inscription and the washed-out grave. The monument proves how strongly he had loved Fanny after her death. A divided response Bathsheba helps replant the flowers, despite her own pain. Her action recognizes Fanny’s dignity without absolving Troy’s choices.

A Return Without Reform A Return Without Reform from "Far from the Madding Crowd". The Past Reenters Troy returns alive After years of drifting through performance work, Troy comes back to Weatherbury.

A Return Without Reform from "Far from the Madding Crowd". The Past Reenters Troy returns alive After years of drifting through performance work, Troy comes back to Weatherbury.

The Past Reenters Troy returns alive After years of drifting through performance work, Troy comes back to Weatherbury. His reappearance destroys the premise on which Boldwood’s hope has rested. Violence follows Boldwood shoots him at the party. Troy’s belated remorse for Fanny does not prevent his final role in another catastrophe.

the evening before Fanny’s death

Monday morning at the bridge

the night after Fanny’s funeral

the morning after the heavy rain

Christmas Eve, months later