'Boldwood has only himself to blame.' How far do you agree? Support your ideas with details from the novel.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [25] More prescient candidates will recognise that fate treats Boldwood badly: the arrival of Troy – his disappearance and his unexpected return, Bathsheba's foolishness in sending the Valentine.
2. [25] But Boldwood is impetuous and acts without thinking; he fails to control his feelings and doesn't seek advice.
3. [25] He is stubborn.
4. [25] Thus to a degree, his misfortunes are self-inflicted.
5. [25] We should look for evidence that candidates have sifted the relevant incidents in the novel and reached supported conclusions with detail from the text before rewarding highly.
6. [25] Refer to the band descriptors in arriving at your mark.