# Joseph Poorgrass — Far from the Madding Crowd character guide > Joseph Poorgrass in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Joseph, Poorgrass, neighbour Poorgrass **First appearance:** 0009-viii-the-malthouse-the-chat-news ## Snapshot A stammering, blush-prone farmhand who turns his painful shyness into a kind of mournful entertainment, forever moralizing over his own afflictions. ## Who they are Poorgrass is the farm's resident worrier, a man so constitutionally bashful that even recounting his blushes brings him a mild, self-satisfied glow. His timidity and fondness for a drop of drink make him the butt of gentle teasing among the maltster's circle, yet he clings to a pious fatalism that lets him count himself fortunate. His comic misery and hesitant speech embody the rural fatalism Hardy observes with both affection and irony, and his misadventures in the fields and on errands add a note of pathos to the laborers' world. ## Relationships ### [Jan Coggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/jan_coggan) _friendship_ Jan and Joseph are fellow farmhands and drinking companions, often sharing humorous banter and gossip. ### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak) _friendship_ Gabriel and Joseph work together on the farm, with Gabriel often guiding the timid Joseph through his duties. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _professional_ Joseph Poorgrass is a timid, superstitious worker on Bathsheba's farm, often causing frustration with his inefficiency. ### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak) _friendship_ Gabriel and Joseph work together on the farm, with Gabriel often guiding the timid Joseph through his duties. ### [Jan Coggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/jan_coggan) _friendship_ Jan and Joseph are fellow farmhands and drinking companions, often sharing humorous banter and gossip. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _professional_ Joseph Poorgrass is a timid, superstitious worker on Bathsheba's farm, often causing frustration with his inefficiency. ### [Gabriel Oak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/gabriel_oak) _friendship_ Gabriel and Joseph work together on the farm, with Gabriel often guiding the timid Joseph through his duties. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _professional_ Joseph Poorgrass is a timid, superstitious worker on Bathsheba's farm, often causing frustration with his inefficiency. ### [Jan Coggan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/jan_coggan) _friendship_ Jan and Joseph are fellow farmhands and drinking companions, often sharing humorous banter and gossip. ## In the story ### [VI: The Fair; The Journey; The Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/vi-the-fair-the-journey-the-fire) Joseph Poorgrass is the other wagoner, who responds to Billy Smallbury's remarks about the woman's vanity and expresses his own shyness. ### [The Malthouse; The Chat; News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/viii-the-malthouse-the-chat-news) Praises Gabriel's character and flute-playing, expressing thanksgiving that he is not a loose man. ### [X: Mistress and Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/x-mistress-and-men) Nervously answers Bathsheba's questions about his work and pay. ### [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) Laments Oak's treatment and is chastised for gossiping about Bathsheba. ### [XIX: The Sheep-Washing; The Offer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xix-the-sheep-washing-the-offer) Works at the upper opening letting sheep out, dripping wet like a dolphin under a fountain. ### [Troubles in the Fold; A Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxi-troubles-in-the-fold-a-message) Among the men who report the sheep's plight and later suggests Gabriel Oak as the only one who can cure them. ### [The Great Barn and the Sheep-Shearers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxii-the-great-barn-and-the-sheep-shearers) A shearer, joins in the conversation and anticipates the feast with pleasure. ### [Eventide; A Second Declaration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxiii-eventide-a-second-declaration) Sings a self-composed ballad about sowing seeds of love, but stops when Bob Coggan laughs. ### [XLI: Suspicion; Fanny Is Sent For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xli-suspicion-fanny-is-sent-for) Delivers the news of Fanny Robin's death and assists in funeral preparations. ### [XLII: Joseph and His Burden; Buck’s Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlii-joseph-and-his-burden-buck-s-head) Collects Fanny's coffin from the workhouse, delays at the Buck's Head, becomes emotional and drunk. ### [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) Drives Bathsheba to the fair; enjoys the play and helps carry Black Bess's body. ### [Bathsheba Talks with Her Outrider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/li-bathsheba-talks-with-her-outrider) Mentioned as originally intended to drive Bathsheba but unable due to his 'multiplying eye' complaint. ### [LV: The March Following; “Bathsheba Boldwood”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lv-the-march-following-bathsheba-boldwood) Observes the judge's arrival and comments on the proceedings with his characteristic philosophizing. ### [LVII: A Foggy Night and Morning; Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lvii-a-foggy-night-and-morning-conclusion) Offers a biblical reflection on the marriage as the friends depart. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/joseph_poorgrass - 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