Destiny and a Blue Cloak is a short story published in 1874 by Thomas Hardy, which also appeared in the New York Times.
It is set in Weymouth and for the most part in a village near Beaminster, both in Dorset.
Destiny and a Blue Cloak is considered Hardy's first proper short story, aside from the 1865 comedic autobiographical narrative How I Built Myself A House.
Image - Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Offices from ArtUK site
A story of identities being mistaken and manipulated into, it shows the greed of humans to get their life being subject to others. Nineteen-year-old Agatha Pollin is approached by young Oswald Winwood. She wears a blue cloak which is very identical to another popular lady of the town, the widely admired 25-year-old Frances Lovill. Agatha lets him be in that delusion for the time being and both fall in love. At the end of the day, she confesses that she is not Frances. Oswald however, is not displeased because he also loves her.
A romantic relationship develops between Agatha and Oswald. He soon leaves for India for a position in the administration office, and their love continues with correspondence and eventually they decide to marry.
Agatha’s family consists of only her uncle who is a miller and widower with four young children. He has a lot of debt with a grain merchant. This rogue merchant has his eyes set on Agatha and promises to waive off all her uncle's debts if allowed to marry his niece. Much argument ensues in the household and she reluctantly agrees that if Oswald doesn't return before year end, she will marry the merchant.
The story ends in tragedy but before that Agatha’s new aunt is Frances Lovill who has a significant bearing in the story and also the blue cloak which started the whole travesty.
Image - 1950s Original Vintage Butterick Sewing Pattern from VintagePattern site
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