Write a note on the appropriateness of the title of the novel,"Far from the Madding Crowd".

The title always plays an important role in the art of literature. Title gives us an idea of the concept of the writing as well as the author's intention behind the writing.Thus Hardy's "Far from the Madding Crowd" also gives the readers a concept of the theme of  the novel. The title, "Far from the Madding Crowd" is a phrase which occurs in Gray's  "Elegy, Written in a Country Churchyard":

    "Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, / Their sober wishes never learned to stray;/ Along the cool sequester'd vale of life;/ They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."

        In this elegy, Gray pays a tribute to the humble and peaceful, homely ancestors of village people, who lie buried in the country churchyard. The "madding crowd" represents the crowded, congested, suffocating life of the city. The scenes of all the stories of Hardy is laid in the countryside, in a region of England to which he gives the name of Wessex. Through this title, Hardy wishes to imply that the life of the country people is peaceful and calm and free from the tumult, the turmoil and the strife which mark the life style of urban people.

               The novel deals with the rustic people like Joseph Poorgrass, Jan Coggan which is clearly suggested in the title. Most of the characters are quite, homely and simple-minded. They are not like the urban-side people. They are very far from the crowded area of town and city.

              Among the major characters, except Troy, all the other characters are rural. Oak is an idealized rustic. On the other hand, Boldwood and Bathsheba are  farmers.

             The title also has an ironical significance. Although Boldwood and Bathsheba line in the countryside, far form the madding crowd, they are neither happy nor contented.There are vicissitudes in their lives. There is a turmoil situation in the life of Boldwood. There is also a tragedy in the lives of Bathsheba and Fanny. Perhaps Hardy wants to believe that even in the countryside, misfortune  and suffering are not absent.

               To suggest the joys and sorrows of the humble and homely countrymen, the title "Far from the Madding Crowd" is very much apt and appropriate.