Author: Thomas Hardy
Publisher:
Published: 2020-05-31
Total Pages: 26
ISBN-13:
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The short story 'The Three Strangers' by Thomas Hardy tells of a mystery to find which stranger at a party is a criminal. This lesson will explore the conflict of the story as well as the themes of justice and looks being deceiving. The Three Strangers Synopsis Thomas Hardy's short story The Three Strangers tells a tale of intrigue. During a stormy night in a remote cottage, there is a party to celebrate the birth and christening of a new baby. During the party, three strangers knock on the door. The tension of the plot increases when the guests realize they have a criminal in their midst. Fortunately for the sheep-stealing thief, the guests believe the incorrect person is the criminal. The thief gets away. Let's explore the problems or conflicts in this story and then explore the main recurring ideas or themes.Higher Crowstairs is an isolated cottage some three miles from Casterbridge, the county town where the county jail is situated. It is late winter, in the evening of a very rainy day. Shepherd Fennel and his wife are holding a christening party, to which about twenty relatives and neighbors have come, all well known to one another. Inside it is warm and snug, with a blazing fire in the hearth. Mrs Fennel, a somewhat frugal lady, is hoping to strike a balance between dancing and talking, so that no one gets too thirsty or too hungry. The musicians are a twelve-year-old fiddler and the parish clerk, who plays the serpent, an old-fashioned brass instrument.Into this festive scene, three strangers intrude, one by one. The first has come from the direction of town and asks shelter from the rain. He dries off by the hearth but is evasive when asked about himself. Although he enjoys smoking, he has neither pipe, tobacco, nor pouch.Shortly after, a second stranger knocks, this one is headed toward Casterbridge. Again, he wishes to dry off and sits down at the table, right next to the first stranger, penning him in. He is much more jovial than the first stranger and asks for drink. He drinks the mead (a fermented honey drink) in large quantities, much to Mrs. Fennel's consternation. When asked about his occupation, he sings a song for the locals to guess. Only the first stranger joins in the chorus. It is obvious from the song that he is a public hangman, coming to hang a prisoner slated for execution the next day at the county jail.A third stranger enters during the song, looks terrified, and rushes out. Just then a gun is heard firing from the town, indicating a prisoner has escaped. One of the guests, "the engaged man of fifty," declares...
