# Donald Farfrae — The Mayor of Casterbridge character guide > Donald Farfrae in The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Farfrae, Mr. Farfrae, the slim Farfrae, Maister Farfrae **First appearance:** 0004-v ## Snapshot A courteous Scotsman with a genius for corn and commerce, whose easy charm and quiet competence make him Henchard's indispensable manager and inevitable rival. ## Who they are Farfrae arrives in Casterbridge as a stranger and rises swiftly through Henchard's own patronage, winning the town's affection with his songs and his shrewd business sense. His marriage to Lucetta places him at the center of a triangle of old secrets he only partly understands, and his decency is tested by revelations he never sought. He matters because he represents the modern, adaptable man against whom Henchard's rigid pride is measured and found wanting. ## Relationships ### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard) _rivalry_ Farfrae starts as Henchard's trusted manager and friend, but becomes his primary business and romantic rival, leading to Henchard's downfall. ### [Lucetta Templeman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/lucetta_templeman) _romantic_ Farfrae becomes romantically involved with Lucetta, eventually marrying her, though the relationship is shadowed by her past with Henchard. ### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard) _rivalry_ Farfrae starts as Henchard's trusted manager and friend, but becomes his primary business and romantic rival, leading to Henchard's downfall. ### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard) _rivalry_ Farfrae starts as Henchard's trusted manager and friend, but becomes his primary business and romantic rival, leading to Henchard's downfall. ## In the story ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/vi) Arrives as a stranger, writes a note to Henchard about corn, and goes to the Three Mariners. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/vii) A young Scotsman who demonstrates a method to restore spoiled wheat, declines Henchard's job offer, planning to emigrate to America. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/viii) Sings several songs at the Three Mariners, winning over the patrons with his emotional performance and charm. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/ix) Initially planning to leave, he is convinced by Henchard to stay and becomes his manager. ### [The Return of Susan and Elizabeth-Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/x) Observes Henchard's mood changes; is now installed as the new manager, displacing Joshua Jopp. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xii) Listens to Henchard's confession, helps draft a letter to the Jersey woman, and shows concern for the complicated situation. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xiv) Receives a duplicate note and meets Elizabeth-Jane at the granary; Henchard values his intellect and companionship. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xv) Admires Elizabeth-Jane and shows compassion by intervening to stop Henchard's cruel punishment of Abel Whittle, revealing his gentle nature. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvi) Henchard's manager; proposes a modest admission-charged entertainment for the national holiday, which proves more popular than Henchard's free festival; quietly accepts Henchard's announcement that his time as manager is drawing to a close. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvii) Walks with Elizabeth-Jane after his dismissal, hints at romantic interest but restrains himself; receives Henchard's letter and stifles his attachment; starts his own business and eventually competes with Henchard. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xviii) Passes Henchard's house on Sunday, sees the blinds down, and learns of Susan's death. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as likely to become a council member; passes by the churchyard without noticing Elizabeth-Jane; recipient of Henchard's letter withdrawing objection. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxiii) Visits High-Place Hall seeking Elizabeth-Jane but is captivated by Lucetta instead. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxiv) Examines the new horse-drill, explains its benefits, and shows deference to Lucetta while being at ease with Elizabeth-Jane; his presence stirs Lucetta's romantic interest. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxv) Visits Lucetta with trepidation, ignoring Elizabeth-Jane; his passion for Lucetta is evident. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxvi) Farfrae meets Henchard in the chestnut-walk, visits Lucetta's tea-table, and becomes the target of Henchard's business rivalry. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxvii) Prospering in business while Henchard declines; his man is involved in the wagon collision; meets Lucetta secretly at night. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxix) Prepares to move lodgings, learns of Henchard's rescue of Lucetta, and avoids intruding on them. ### [Chapter XXX: The Revelation of Lucetta's Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxx) Returns to High-Place Hall after marrying Lucetta; shows mild awkwardness about Elizabeth-Jane staying but defers to Lucetta's wishes. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxi) Farfrae buys Henchard's business, and his name replaces Henchard's on the gateway. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxii) Now the master of Henchard's former house and business, Farfrae offers Henchard lodging and the return of some furniture, but Henchard refuses. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxiii) Now married to Lucetta and a successful businessman, Farfrae remains considerate toward Henchard but is unaware of the tension; he is the object of Henchard's vengeful thoughts and the target of the Psalm. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxiv) Initially dismisses Elizabeth-Jane's warning, but later reconsiders; learns of Henchard's public hatred; reluctantly abandons plan to set Henchard up in a shop; is offered the mayoralty. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxv) Listens to Henchard reading the letters, advises destroying them, and remains unaware of Lucetta's secret. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxvii) Farfrae, as Mayor, forcibly removes Henchard from the royal procession and later shakes hands with the Royal Personage. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxviii) Confronts Henchard in the loft, wrestles him, and is spared; afterwards leaves Casterbridge without reconciliation. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxix) Recovers from his encounter with Henchard and sets out on a journey after receiving an anonymous letter. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xl) Suspicious of Henchard's motives, Farfrae delays his return, only to arrive too late to save Lucetta. He is distraught by his misunderstanding. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xlii) Courts Elizabeth-Jane, meeting her on walks and giving her books; he kisses her and addresses her as 'Dearest Elizabeth-Jane.' ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliii) Meets Elizabeth-Jane after Henchard's departure, brings her to his house to meet Richard Newson, and discusses wedding plans. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliv) Marries Elizabeth-Jane; his voice is heard singing at the wedding celebration. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xlv) Assists Elizabeth-Jane in searching for Henchard, driving the gig and making inquiries; he is supportive of her plan to reconcile with Henchard. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/donald_farfrae - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters