The Mayor of Caterbridge: Important Characters Throughout the novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge, it seems that the so-called “minor” characters play the major roles and critical parts in the story. Two of who are of the most importance are the furmity woman and Joshua Jopp. The furmity woman is arguably one of the most important and influential characters in the novel. Although the furmity woman is the least seen of the characters in the story , she is the most felt in her meager three appearances. The person that is most affected by these appearances is Michael Henchard. The first time these