atonement

When recovered alcoholic Landreaux Irons accidently shoots his neighbors five-year-old son, he seeks the advice of an Ojibwe tribe and then offers his own son LaRose in atonement.

As a young ship's officer in the British Mercantile Marine, Jim is branded a coward when he deserts a passenger-crowded ship he believes is sinking. Trying to atone for his cowardice, he prowls the unmapped jungles of the Far East in search of the feudal warlord who is terrorizing the peace-loving natives. He helps the enslaved natives, is raped by a tribal chief, and finally sacrifices his life for them. A tale of both cowardice and redemption. Includes critical reviews and interpretations.

Presents the annotated text of "The Mayor of Casterbridge," a novel about a man whose past misdeeds come back to haunt him after he rises to a position of wealth and power; and includes articles on backgrounds and contexts, as well as seventeen critical essays.

"In a drunken rage, Michael Henchard sells his wife and daughter to a visiting sailor at a local fair. When they return to Casterbridge some nineteen years later, Henchard--having gained power and success as the mayor--finds he cannot erase the past or the guilt that consumes him."--back cover.

Tim Thomas was a gifted aerospace engineer with a beautiful wife. Then, while using his cell phone while driving, his car wandered across lanes and he became responsible for the deaths of 7 others, including his wife. Unable to forgive himself, Tim sets out to give 'pounds of flesh' that will give new life to seven deserving individuals to make up for the seven lives he destroyed. Tim intends to kill himself to atone for his sins. He decides to bestow gifts to seven worthy people, which includes body organs and material possessions. He personally investigate these people to verify that they are indeed the right people he should help. He plans to have his best friend see that his wishes are carried out after he is dead. Tim's plan threatens to unravel when he begins to fall in love with one of the people he is trying to help.

As mayor of Casterbridge, Michael Henchard is lonely and dissatisfied with life as he struggles in his relationships with women. Includes explanatory notes, an overview of key themes, and a chronology of the author's life.

Michael Henchard, an unemployed farmhand, gets drunk and sells his wife and baby daughter, but nineteen years later, when he is the Mayor of Casterbridge, his past is brought back to haunt him, when they return, and his success is undone.