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Describe the contrasting ways in which Bathsheba is loved by Gabirel, Troy and Boldwood
Bathsheba is loved by Gabriel, Boldwood and Troy but all three men love her in very different ways. Each at some point have probably loved her as much as the other, the biggest difference is not in the amount or strength of their feelings for her, but more how they each show that they love her, how obvious they make it to Bathsheba and the people around them and what effect Bathsheba's behaviour has on them.
Each of the men react very differently to Bathsheba on first encountering her, when Gabriel first sees her he and witnesses her indulging in her viewing her own reflection for no specific reason he thinks her quite strange and vain "But she has her faults... Gabriel, perhaps a little piqued by the comely traveller's indifference, glanced back to where he had witnessed her performance over the hedge, and said 'Vanity'." Although Gabriel criticises Bathsheba, calling her vain, he is still clearly attracted to her. This is clear because after he had observed her in her wagon he follows it down to the turnpike gate and on hearing the dispute over her paying the gatekeeper, he hands the money needed for her to pass over. He pays out of his own pocket, even though she is a complete stranger and from what he has seen not a particularly humble or needy one. She didn't really give any good reason for not paying, there was nothing that implicated Gabriel in the situation or her dealings, he chose to become involved. When he payed for her to pass it was his chance to introduce himself and show his generosity, although it may have looked as if he was trying to impress her with his money from her point of view...