In Far From the Madding Crowd, Liddy serves as a confidante to Bathsheba. It is other that bathsheba reveals her innermost feelings and thus gives a true glimpse of her personality to the reader. From learning about Bathsheba’s vanity to how it is shattered through Troy’s actions, the reader is able to shape a human character of Bathsheba with sympathy toward her.

When Bathsheba is discussing with Liddy the events of her visit to the fair, the reader is given further evidence of Bathsheba’s vanity. It is to Liddy that she reveals how Farmer Boldwodd did not notice her. The reader realizes that Bathsheba’s pride has been hurt.

Another scene in which the reader learns about Bathsheba’s character through the presence of Liddy occurs when Bathsheba reveals her feelings for Troy. Liddy then relates to her the history of Troy, his love affairs and social conditions. Liddy plays the role of a “scout” or “newsletter” for Bathsheba. It is through Liddy that Bathsheba finds out what the others on the farm, including Oak, feel about her and Troy.

A third time that the reader is given evidence of the close relationship between Liddy and Bathsheba occurs after Troy becomes angry at seeing Fanny’s dead body. Bathsheba, with the aid of her confidante, goes into hiding during this time of extraordinary pain. Once again, Liddy serves as a lookout, relating to Bathsheba Troy’s actions. Bathsheba turns to her closest friend, Liddy, to see her through difficult times.

Thus the role of Liddy is essential both to the reader and Bathsheba. For Bathsheba, Thomas Hardy creates a character in whom the protagonist can confide and receive advice, especially since Bathsheba is bereft of any family. For the reader, Hardy creates a messenger who reveals the innermost thoughts of the entral character, which, in turn, helps the reader to understand her.