In Thomas Hardy's time, he and the majority of the public prized biblical morals, values, and lessons. In The Mayor of Casterbridge, Hardy made use of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel by modeling Henchard's fate from that of Cain's. Another allusion seen is how the Bible's Naomic character from the story of Ruth plays matchmaker for her daughter, much like Susan does for Elizabeth-Jane in Hardy's novel. The saga of David and Saul can be compared to Henchard's envious rivalry with Farfrae. Thomas Hardy utilizes these Biblical allusions in the novel to justify the belief of fate, to show how maternal characters interfered with relationships, and to demonstrate the destructive effects of jealousy.

Michael Henchard's fate due to his jealousy in Hardy's novel alluded to the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis. In the Biblical tale, Cain found...