Final answer:
The Mayor of Casterbridge is a novel by Thomas Hardy that depicts the rise and fall of Michael Henchard in the context of 19th century English society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The novel 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is authored by Thomas Hardy, not Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, or Mark Twain. Hardy's novel is well-known for its portrayal of the tragic life of its protagonist, Michael Henchard, who rises to become the mayor of the fictional town of Casterbridge, only to fall due to his own personal flaws. Like Dickens, Hardy offers a rich depiction of the social setting and the implications of industrialization on English society during the 19th century. However, Hardy's work is distinguishable by its focus on rural settings and its use of tragedy and fate.