“A young man of good judgment, easy movement, good dress, and generally good character” is Hardy's description of Gabriel Oak in the first chapter from “Far from the Madding Crowd”. . » Archangel Gabriel was God's Messenger, so the reader expects Hardy's Gabriel to be reliable and dignified. There are many times in the novel where he acts like a guardian angel. His last name is a metaphor for his appearance and character. An oak tree is a symbol of great strength, solidity and endurance. Gabriel Oak shows these qualities throughout the novel. Oak's character is established in the early chapters and remains consistent throughout, unlike other characters such as Bathsheba and Boldwood, which is one of the main reasons I chose him. Thomas Hardy portrays Oak in a positive light, inviting the reader to love him as a character. His “broad smile”, the first we see of him, tells us that he is happy with life. Hardy makes us believe that Oak is a kind man because when he smiles, his young face is wrinkled like "the rays...". . . of the rising sun.” He is more comfortable in his work clothes than in his Sunday best, which implies that he is in tune with the landscape and nature. Oak is "imposing" in stature and has developed a slight hunk to appear less physically threatening, showing us that he can empathize with others and see things from their point of view. Hardy uses some similes to describe Oak's stature, for example his fist was like "Thor's hammer" "rather smaller in size than a common loaf of bread". He could be described as a gentle giant. “Far from the Madding Crowd” is a romantic novel set in rural England. Oak, Boldwood, and Troy all seek the hand in marriage of the main character Bathsheba. All three have...... middle of paper ......ction for themselves. Overall, it was Gabriel Oak who made the biggest impression on me, as I think he is reliable and trustworthy throughout the plot. He had to wait a long time for Bathsheba to return the favor, but he remained calm and respectable. Unlike Troy and Boldwood, Gabriel is principled and keeps his promise to never ask Bathsheba to marry him again. Oak proves to be a loyal friend even when he goes through difficult times himself. He remains a close confidant of Bathsheba, guiding her and "taming" her as she said she wanted. He supports and helps her in difficult times, and is in my opinion the kindest, most caring and most loyal character in this novel and the character most worthy of Bathsheba's love although he belongs to a different social class. The main theme of the novel is that true love persists and always wins..