Market Harborough: Or, How Mr. Sawyer Went to the Shires: Analysis of Major Characters
"Market Harborough: Or, How Mr. Sawyer Went to the Shires" is a narrative centered around John Standish Sawyer, a country gentleman who seeks better fox hunting opportunities in Market Harborough. In this new setting, he becomes enmeshed in a community of enthusiastic hunters and develops a romantic interest in Cecilia Dove, the parson's daughter, who shares his passion for the sport. The plot thickens during a steeplechase event where Sawyer suffers an injury, leading Cecilia to decide on marrying him. Following their marriage, Cecilia urges Sawyer to abandon hunting; however, his passion remains evident as he is soon seen reading about the sport, hinting at a return to his former pursuits.
Key characters include the Honorable Crasher, a supportive friend to Sawyer; Isaac, Sawyer's resourceful groom who cleverly deceives Crasher into purchasing a worthless horse; and Tiptop, Crasher's groom, who is also misled by Isaac’s trickery. Mr. Dove, the parson, embodies the traditional hunting spirit within this vibrant community. The story encapsulates themes of love, ambition, and the intricate social dynamics of hunting culture in the English countryside, presenting a richly layered exploration of its characters and their relationships.
Market Harborough: Or, How Mr. Sawyer Went to the Shires: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George J. Whyte-Melville
First published: 1861
Genre: Novel
Locale: England
Plot: Sport
Time: Nineteenth century
John Standish Sawyer, a country gentleman who, deciding that fox hunting is poor in his own country, goes to Market Harborough. There he meets other ardent fox hunters and falls in love with the parson's daughter, who is also devoted to fox hunting. A steeplechase is held, and though Sawyer rides a fine race, he takes a fall near the end of the course and breaks his collarbone. The parson's daughter decides then to marry him. After the marriage, she makes him give up hunting. He is soon observed reading a book about hunting; he will be back with the hounds before long.
The Honorable Crasher, Sawyer's friend and hunting companion at Market Harborough.
Isaac, Sawyer's groom and horse handler. He tricks the Honorable Crasher into buying, for a large sum, a handsome but worthless horse belonging to Sawyer. With the money from the sale, Sawyer buys a horse good enough to enable him to make a fine showing in the steeplechase.
Tiptop, the Honorable Crasher's groom. He is tricked by Isaac's substitution of horses in a test run into giving his master a glowing report of Sawyer's worthless horse.
Cecilia Dove, the pretty and coquettish daughter of the parson. She marries Sawyer.
Mr. Dove, the parson, an ardent fox hunter.