The Mayor of Casterbridge · Character

Solomon Longways

A thoughtful local tradesman and friend of the Casterbridge community.

minor

Also known as Longways, old Solomon

First appearance: vi

Solomon Longways's tie to Christopher Coney is one of the pressures that moves The Mayor of Casterbridge—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Local man who informs Elizabeth-Jane about Henchard's teetotalism and his oath.

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With Christopher Coney (friendship): Coney and Longways are fellow townsmen and drinking companions, often seen together in social settings. With Christopher Coney (friendship): Coney and Longways are fellow townsmen and drinking companions, often seen together in social settings. With Christopher Coney (friendship): Coney and Longways are fellow townsmen and drinking companions, often seen together in social settings.

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See Solomon Longways in vi

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Solomon Longways sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Local Townsfolk
Major Characters
Background Figures
Protagonist

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Henchard, having just witnessed Lucetta’s de…

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Relationships

Christopher Coney
friendship · positive
Coney and Longways are fellow townsmen and drinking companions, often seen together in… How this plays out →
Christopher Coney
friendship · positive
Coney and Longways are fellow townsmen and drinking companions, often seen together in… How this plays out →
Christopher Coney
friendship · positive
Coney and Longways are fellow townsmen and drinking companions, often seen together in… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Solomon Longways in vi

In the story

Solomon Longways appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V
Local man who informs Elizabeth-Jane about Henchard's teetotalism and his oath.
VIII
Listens to the singing and reproves Coney for being overfamiliar with the stranger.
XIII
Longways joins the gossip about Henchard's worth and later reflects on the day's events with Coney.
Chapter XXXII
Works beside Henchard in the granary and asks why Henchard is counting down the days.
Chapter XXXVII
Longways discusses the rumored skimmington ride with others, expressing doubts and considering informing those concerned.
Chapter XXXIX
Implied to be involved in the anonymous letter scheme to get Farfrae out of the way.
XLIII
Part of the philosophic party at the Three Mariners discussing Farfrae's choice of Elizabeth-Jane.

Chapter companion notes

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See Solomon Longways in vi

See Solomon Longways in V