Role of Gabriel Oak in Far from the Madding Crowd.

In Hardy's "Far from the Madding Crowd", Gabriel Oak is one of the most important characters of the novel and also the hero of the novel. He is one of the most simplified characters of the novel. Hardy describes him in this way:
 
    "When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth spread till they were within an unimportant distance of his ears, his eyes were reduced to chicks, and diverging wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of the rising sun."



              However, Hardy sketches Gabriel Oak as a sincere, tactless and devoted lover. He has a heart of gold. He always does good for everyone. He never thinks evil for anyone. Though he has an unattractive appearance, but is simple, good, honest and hard-working. Sincerity is his most outstanding virtue. He is loyal and faithful to Bathsheba throughout. Though Bathsheba is frickle-minded, Oak is devoted to her from the very beginning of the novel to the end.


             As he is a simple-minded person, he is extremely tactless. When Bathsheba asks him if he is thinking of kissing her hand, he replied tactlessly, "I was not thinking of any such thing." Though Bathsheba does not even think Oak as a man, he worships her as a goddess. He tells her in the beginning--"I shall do one thing in this life -- one thing certain -- that is, love you and long for you, and keep waiting for you till I die." He becomes a guardian of Bathsheba, he always protects Bathsheba from any kind of problems and danger.



              Though he loves Bathsheba from the very core of his heart, he is not without self-respect. When she dismisses him from service for his frank condemnation of her conduct towards Boldwood, he immediately goes away. When Bathsheba sends him a signal of distress, he refuses to come unless he is asked with more politeness to come. It is only when Bathsheba sends him a written appeal that he agrees to come. He is not that type of lover who would efface his dignity and self-respect for the whims of his mistress.


             He is kind-hearted, sympathetic and generous. He feels very sad at the premature and tragic end of his true hundred sheep. He also takes pity on the miserable plight of Fanny Robin and gives her a shilling. Later, he also feels a great sympathy for Boldwood in his disappointment in love and at his sad fate. When Boldwood was trying to court and win Bathsheba, Gabriel did not enter into any rivalry with him but kept his own love control.


              In this novel, rustic or pastoral characters play an important and significant role. Oak is one of these rustic characters. Hardy portrays him as an idealistic rustic. He is manly, loyal, and unaggressive. He is also without any higher ambition like the rural people. He says Bathsheba that before he saw her, he intended to marry a woman without money. His sterling qualities enable him to marry his sweet-heart ultimately.


            In this novel, he also presents a contrast to both Boldwood and Troy. Boldwood loses his balance of mind when he falls in love with Bathsheba. He takes Bathsheba's loss to heart so much so that he loses all interest in life. Troy, on the other hand, is a lady killer. He has not much of conscience. He plays with the hearts of Fanny Robin and Bathsheba. His sole aim is to gratify his animal instincts, as he is a sensualist, pure and simple. But Oak is loyal, faithful and sincere. When he is rejected by Bathsheba, He does not feel disheartened and miserable. But he loves her very much and calmly is longing for her. As Hardy writes,

       "Troy's deformities lay deep down from a woman's vision: Thus contrasting with