Mosaic Law

In Chapter 43 of Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy the reference to the "Mosaic law" means the laws traditionally believed to have been given by Moses to the Israelites in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament.  Mosaic simply means "of Moses." 

Hardy uses the phrase in moral and emotional context connected with marriage, fidelity, and punishment.  The allusion especially evokes the ancient and severe legal code of Old Testament - a system associated with justice devoid of mercy and compassion. 

In this chapter of the novel, the emotional atmosphere is dominated by Bathsheba's sufferings, Troy's cruelty and recklessness, and the shadow of Fanny Robin's death. Questions of guilt and morality pervade the emotional atmosphere. 
Bathsheba see her fate as a retribution for the death of Fanny and her child. Fanny through her death takes revenge on Bathsheba.  There is an implied contrast between harsh Mosaic laws and soft Christian ideas of forgiveness and compassion. 

Hardy often uses biblical terms poetically and ironically to deepen tragic mood. 

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