# Susan Henchard — The Mayor of Casterbridge character guide > Susan Henchard in The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Susan, Susan Newson, Mrs. Henchard, Mrs. Newson **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot Henchard's estranged wife returns to Casterbridge after eighteen years, carrying a secret about her daughter that will reshape every relationship in the town. ## Who they are Susan Henchard lives quietly on the margins of Casterbridge society, seeking only security for Elizabeth-Jane and a measure of peace after years of hardship with the sailor Newson. Her decision to keep the truth of Elizabeth-Jane's parentage sealed in a letter until her daughter's wedding day reflects both her protective love and her fear of Henchard's reaction. That letter, left carelessly sealed, becomes the hinge on which the novel's central deception turns. ## Relationships ### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard) _family_ Susan is Henchard's estranged wife, whom he sold at a fair years earlier, and their reunion is fraught with guilt and awkward duty. ### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard) _family_ Susan is Henchard's estranged wife, whom he sold at a fair years earlier, and their reunion is fraught with guilt and awkward duty. ### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard) _family_ Susan is Henchard's estranged wife, whom he sold at a fair years earlier, and their reunion is fraught with guilt and awkward duty. ## In the story ### [The Sale of a Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/i) Henchard's wife, carrying their child, initially implores him to stop but eventually agrees to the sale, showing grim resignation. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/ii) Referenced as having been sold and departed with the sailor and Elizabeth-Jane; her ring is found by Henchard. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/iii) Now calling herself Mrs. Newson, she returns to the fair with her daughter, seeking information about Michael Henchard. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/iv) Reflects on her past with Henchard and Newson, decides to search for Henchard to improve Elizabeth-Jane's life, and arrives in Casterbridge with her daughter. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/v) Agitated and overwhelmed upon seeing Henchard as Mayor; she wishes to avoid meeting him. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/vi) Irresolute after seeing Henchard; agrees to follow Elizabeth-Jane's suggestion. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/vii) Arrives with Elizabeth-Jane, worries about the cost of the inn, and hesitates to make themselves known to Henchard. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/viii) Warns Elizabeth-Jane about the potential harm to Henchard's pride from her serving at the inn. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/ix) Decides to send Elizabeth-Jane to Henchard with a message about their relationship, hoping for recognition. ### [The Return of Susan and Elizabeth-Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/x) Receives Henchard's note at the inn; keeps its contents from Elizabeth-Jane, indicating her compliance with Henchard's wishes. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xi) Meets Henchard at the Amphitheatre, expresses her sense of obligation to her deceased husband Newson, and agrees to Henchard's plan for a secret remarriage. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as having returned to Henchard; he plans to remarry her to protect their daughter's respect. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xiii) Susan marries Henchard again, entering a carriage for the first time in her life, and is described as pale and fragile, nicknamed 'The Ghost' by local boys. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xiv) Lives quietly in Henchard's house; Farfrae looks at her with particular interest, though the reason is unknown to Elizabeth-Jane. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvi) Present as an onlooker at the festivities; Henchard waits for her to be disposed to go home. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvii) Mentions Farfrae's movements at breakfast, causing tension; less concerned with convention than Elizabeth-Jane. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xviii) Falls ill and dies; writes a sealed letter for Elizabeth-Jane's wedding day and confesses to her daughter about the trick to bring her and Farfrae together. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xix) Her posthumous letter reveals that Elizabeth-Jane is actually Richard Newson's daughter, not Henchard's. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xx) Deceased; her grave is the setting for Elizabeth-Jane's meetings with Lucetta. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxviii) Referenced as the wife Henchard sold at the fair. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xli) Susan is referenced in the conversation between Henchard and Newson regarding the past sale. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliv) Remembered by Henchard at Weydon Priors; he recalls her last words before leaving with Newson. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/susan_henchard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters