# Cainy Ball — Far from the Madding Crowd character guide

> Cainy Ball in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Cainy, Cain Ball, Young Cain Ball

**First appearance:** 0011-x-mistress-and-men

## Who they are

Young farm boy who works as a shepherd's assistant.

## Relationships

### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak)

_professional_

Cainy Ball is a young farm boy who works under Gabriel Oak's supervision, learning the trade with enthusiasm.

### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak)

_professional_

Cainy Ball is a young farm boy who works under Gabriel Oak's supervision, learning the trade with enthusiasm.

### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak)

_professional_

Cainy Ball is a young farm boy who works under Gabriel Oak's supervision, learning the trade with enthusiasm.

## In the story

### [X: Mistress and Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/x-mistress-and-men)

Mentioned as a good lad to be under-shepherd; his name's origin is explained.

### [XV: A Morning Meeting; The Letter Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xv-a-morning-meeting-the-letter-again)

Runs to inform Oak of twin lambs and assists with marking.

### [XVIII: Boldwood in Meditation; Regret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xviii-boldwood-in-meditation-regret)

Cainy Ball is present in the meadow with Bathsheba and Gabriel, assisting with the lambing operation.

### [XXXIII: In the Sun; A Harbinger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-the-sun-a-harbinger)

Cain Ball returns from Bath with news of Bathsheba and Troy, though his coughing fits and digressions frustrate the listeners.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/cainy_ball
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters