The opening pages of the novel display Hardy's ability to write admirable prose which delineates the personae, the background, and the circumstances from an omniscient narrator's point of view. The comparative infrequency of his lapses from clarity and economy may serve as a lesson for the student in "blue-penciling" or revision. If an occasional awkward sentence or overly long descriptive passage comes to light, perhaps we should reflect upon the conventions of the era in which he wrote. Hardy's actual writing style is usually clear and is often extremely well wrought. When we have finished the novel, our thoughts about it are to some extent what Hardy wants us to think. In short, Hardy knows all and is everywhere in The Mayor of Casterbridge, although we learn only what he wants us to know. This gives him a point of view that allows him to comment upon the vagaries of nature, to place himself in the mind of a character in order to give us reasons and motives, and to philosophize or describe the background to clarify whatever point he wishes to make. Hardy's narrative style is that of the omniscient or ubiquitous narrator. Full Glossary for The Mayor of Casterbridge.Point of View and Style in The Mayor of Casterbridge.
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