# Frank Troy — Far from the Madding Crowd character guide > Frank Troy in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sergeant Troy, Troy, Francis Troy, Mr. Troy **First appearance:** 0012-xi-outside-the-barracks-snow-a-meeting ## Snapshot A dashing sergeant with a scarlet coat, a silver tongue, and a conscience to match neither, who sweeps Bathsheba off her feet. ## Who they are Troy arrives in Weatherbury as an educated soldier whose charm and swordplay dazzle a town hungry for spectacle, and he pursues Bathsheba with a confidence that Gabriel Oak immediately distrusts. He carries a prior entanglement with Fanny Robin that he treats as disposable, and his recklessness with women's affections is matched only by his recklessness with his own future. He is the storm the novel's careful world is unprepared for. ## Relationships ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _romantic_ Bathsheba is infatuated with the dashing but manipulative Frank Troy, leading to a disastrous marriage marked by his cruelty and her eventual disillusionment. ### [Fanny Robin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/fanny_robin) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply in love with Frank Troy, who seduces and abandons her, leading to her tragic death from poverty and heartbreak. ### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak) _rivalry_ Frank Troy and Gabriel Oak are bitter rivals for Bathsheba's affection, with Troy's arrogance clashing against Oak's steady integrity. ### [Liddy Smallbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/liddy_smallbury) _social_ Liddy Smallbury interacts with Frank Troy as her mistress's husband, often gossiping about his scandalous behavior. ### [Benjy Pennyways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/benjy_pennyways) _social_ Benjy Pennyways and Frank Troy are acquaintances who share a mutual disdain for Bathsheba, with Pennyways aiding Troy's schemes. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _romantic_ Bathsheba is infatuated with the dashing but manipulative Frank Troy, leading to a disastrous marriage marked by his cruelty and her eventual disillusionment. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _romantic_ Bathsheba is infatuated with the dashing but manipulative Frank Troy, leading to a disastrous marriage marked by his cruelty and her eventual disillusionment. ### [Fanny Robin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/fanny_robin) _romantic_ Fanny is deeply in love with Frank Troy, who seduces and abandons her, leading to her tragic death from poverty and heartbreak. ### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak) _rivalry_ Frank Troy and Gabriel Oak are bitter rivals for Bathsheba's affection, with Troy's arrogance clashing against Oak's steady integrity. ### [Liddy Smallbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/liddy_smallbury) _social_ Liddy Smallbury interacts with Frank Troy as her mistress's husband, often gossiping about his scandalous behavior. ### [Benjy Pennyways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/benjy_pennyways) _social_ Benjy Pennyways and Frank Troy are acquaintances who share a mutual disdain for Bathsheba, with Pennyways aiding Troy's schemes. ### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak) _rivalry_ Frank Troy and Gabriel Oak are bitter rivals for Bathsheba's affection, with Troy's arrogance clashing against Oak's steady integrity. ## In the story ### [Outside the Barracks; Snow; A Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xi-outside-the-barracks-snow-a-meeting) Sergeant Troy speaks to Fanny from his window at the barracks. He is surprised and evasive about their marriage, showing reluctance and lack of commitment. ### [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) Mentioned as Fanny's intended husband; Boldwood recounts his questionable history. ### [XVI: All Saints’ and All Souls’](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xvi-all-saints-and-all-souls) Sergeant Troy waits at the altar for Fanny, then angrily dismisses her after she arrives at the wrong church. ### [Eventide; A Second Declaration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxiii-eventide-a-second-declaration) Not present but foreshadowed by the song 'The Banks of Allan Water' about a soldier who wins a bride. ### [XXIV: The Same Night; The Fir Plantation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxiv-the-same-night-the-fir-plantation) A handsome sergeant in scarlet uniform whose spur catches Bathsheba's dress; he flirts with her during the encounter. ### [XXV: The New Acquaintance Described](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxv-the-new-acquaintance-described) Introduced as a gallant sergeant who lives in the moment, uses flattery on women, and has come to Weatherbury to help with haymaking. ### [Scene on the Verge of the Hay-Mead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxvi-scene-on-the-verge-of-the-hay-mead) Sergeant Troy uses charm, flattery, and feigned humility to win Bathsheba's attention, claiming to love her instantly and working in her fields. ### [XXVII: Hiving the Bees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxvii-hiving-the-bees) Arrives at the garden gate, assists with the bees, and persuades Bathsheba to meet him alone for a demonstration of sword-exercise. ### [XXVIII: The Hollow Amid the Ferns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxviii-the-hollow-amid-the-ferns) Displays masterful swordsmanship, deceives Bathsheba about the blade's sharpness to ensure her stillness, cuts a lock of her hair, and kisses her. ### [XXIX: Particulars of a Twilight Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxix-particulars-of-a-twilight-walk) Discussed as the object of Bathsheba's love; Gabriel questions his character and warns of his deceitfulness. ### [XXX: Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxx-hot-cheeks-and-tearful-eyes) Kisses Bathsheba goodbye at her door; leaves for two days to visit friends in Bath; subject of servants' gossip. ### [XXXI: Blame; Fury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxi-blame-fury) Mentioned as returning to Weatherbury, causing Bathsheba's dread of conflict with Boldwood. ### [XXXIII: In the Sun; A Harbinger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-the-sun-a-harbinger) Sergeant Troy is seen with Bathsheba in Bath, walking arm-in-arm, confirming their growing intimacy. ### [Home Again; A Trickster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxiv-home-again-a-trickster) Arrives from Bath, manipulates Boldwood, and secretly meets Bathsheba. ### [At an Upper Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxv-at-an-upper-window) Troy appears at the upper window in a relaxed, confident manner, discusses modernizing the house, and asks about Boldwood's family history of insanity. ### [XXXVI: Wealth in Jeopardy; The Revel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxvi-wealth-in-jeopardy-the-revel) Presides over the harvest supper, dismisses Oak's warnings, insists on serving brandy, and encourages the men to drink heavily. ### [The Storm; The Two Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-storm-the-two-together) Mentioned as being asleep in the barn with the other workers, drunk, during the storm. ### [XXXVIII: Rain; One Solitary Meets Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxviii-rain-one-solitary-meets-another) Leads a procession of men from the barn, whistling and indifferent to the ricks, entering the farmhouse. ### [XXXIX: Coming Home; A Cry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxix-coming-home-a-cry) Now a farmer using Bathsheba's money, he is agitated by the encounter with Fanny, speaks gently to her, and lies to Bathsheba about knowing her. ### [XLI: Suspicion; Fanny Is Sent For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xli-suspicion-fanny-is-sent-for) Demands money from Bathsheba, reveals a lock of hair in his watch, and shows coldness and evasion. ### [Fanny's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xliii-fanny-s-revenge) Shows remorse and reverence for Fanny, kissing her corpse and declaring her his wife in the sight of Heaven, while cruelly rejecting Bathsheba. ### [Under a Tree; Reaction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xliv-under-a-tree-reaction) Mentioned as Bathsheba's husband; he does not appear in the chapter but is the source of her distress. ### [Troy's Romanticism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlv-troy-s-romanticism) Troy is consumed by remorse and romanticism after Fanny's death, spending his last money on a tomb and planting flowers by lantern light. ### [The Gurgoyle: Its Doings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlvi-the-gurgoyle-its-doings) Spends the night in the churchyard, plants flowers on Fanny's grave, but after the rain destroys them, he despairs and leaves Weatherbury. ### [XLVII: Adventures by the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlvii-adventures-by-the-shore) Leaves Weatherbury due to disgust with farming, remorse over Fanny, and aversion to Bathsheba; nearly drowns while swimming but is rescued by sailors. ### [XLVIII: Doubts Arise; Doubts Linger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlviii-doubts-arise-doubts-linger) Troy is reported drowned while bathing at Lulwind Cove, though his fate remains uncertain; his clothes and watch are recovered. ### [The Sheep Fair; Troy Touches His Wife’s Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/l-the-sheep-fair-troy-touches-his-wife-s-hand) Returns to England but delays going home; joins a circus and performs as Turpin at Greenhill Fair; spies on Bathsheba and snatches Pennyways' note to prevent exposure. ### [Converging Courses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lii-converging-courses) Troy is alive and plotting his return, discussing Bathsheba's possible engagement to Boldwood with Pennyways. ### [LIII: Concurritur; Horae Momento](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liii-concurritur-horae-momento) Reported seen in Casterbridge; his face is later observed peering into the malt-house window, confirming his return. ### [After the Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liv-after-the-shock) Shot by Boldwood, dies with his head pillowed in Bathsheba's lap. ### [LVI: Beauty in Loneliness; After All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lvi-beauty-in-loneliness-after-all) Deceased; his name is now inscribed on Fanny Robin's tombstone, marking his burial in the same grave. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/frank_troy - 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