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The Return of The Native LitChart
The Return of The Native LitChart
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Note: all page numbers for the quotes below refer to the
Related Characters: Clym Yeobright
Penguin Classics edition of The Return of the Native published
in 1999. Related Themes:
This quote features the novel’s first in-depth description of of Clym and sets her head spinning. However, the actual
Eustacia. It comes after Eustacia’s interaction with Wildeve Clym ends up underwhelming and disappointing her.
on Guy Fawkes Day. Throughout The Return of the Native,
Hardy often uses Greek iconography to describe his
characters and landscape. This is notable because Hardy Book 2, Chapter 1 Quotes
was writing for a rather conservative Christian audience. In “The place he’s been living at is Paris,” said Humphrey, “and
this case, the reason Hardy describes Eustacia as a they tell me ’tis where the king’s head was cut off years ago. My
“goddess,”—rather than an angel, for instance—requires an poor mother used to tell me about that business. ‘Hummy,’ she
understanding of Greek myth. Unlike the God, saints, and used to say, ‘I was a young maid then, and as I was at home
angels of Christianity, the Greek gods were flawed, often ironing Mother’s caps one afternoon the parson came in and
relying on “passions and instincts,” instead of exemplary, said, “They’ve cut the king’s head off, Jane; and what ’twill be
Christian morals. As such, Hardy characterizes Eustacia as a next God knows.’”
character who, while not fully lacking in morals, does not
abide by them either. He presents her as neither a force of
good nor a force of evil—she is not someone who will fix the Related Characters: Humphrey (speaker), Eustacia Vye,
evils of the world, but she will not substantially add to them Clym Yeobright, Captain Vye
either.
Related Themes:
Related Symbols:
To be loved to madness—such was her great desire. Love
was to her the one cordial which could drive away the Page Number: 108
eating loneliness of her days. And she seemed to long for the
abstraction called passionate love more than for any particular Explanation and Analysis
lover. Eustacia is listening to Humphrey and Captain Vye discuss
Clym’s return to Egdon Heath. Eustacia takes a clear
Related Characters: Eustacia Vye, Clym Yeobright, Damon interest in Clym because he is from Paris, and so she
Wildeve carefully listens to every word Humphrey says about Clym.
However, Humphrey’s insights are not particularly
Related Themes: insightful, and they demonstrate how isolated Egdon is from
France. The event Humphrey refers to is King Louis XVI’s
Related Symbols: execution, which took place during the French Revolution in
1793. In other words, the only thing Humphrey knows
Page Number: 71 about France is more than half a century out of date.
Meanwhile, though Eustacia may know more than
Explanation and Analysis Humphrey about France, she is similarly isolated from it. All
This quotation is part of a lengthy description given of of Eustacia’s knowledge about Paris comes from what she
Eustacia that follows her interaction with Wildeve on Guy has read and heard; she has never stepped foot outside of
Fawkes Day. Here, the description characterizes Eustacia as England herself. She claims to love Paris, but, like Humphrey,
someone determined to find love. Eustacia genuinely her Paris is a dream world that likely bears little
believes in the power of passionate love, though various resemblance to the material reality of the city as it exists in
situations will challenge this belief as the novel progresses. the mid-19th century.
At this early point in the story, however, Eustacia thinks that
love is an antidote to her loneliness—something that will
solve all of her problems. However, as the novel continues, it
eventually becomes apparent that Eustacia’s love is
conditional. She loves Clym, but only as long as Clym can
take her to Paris. When Clym’s eyesight begins to fail and he
can no longer help Eustacia escape from Egdon, her love for
him starts to fade. Arguably, the most Eustacia ever loved
Clym was before she even met him: “the abstraction called
passionate love” overwhelms Eustacia after she first hears
Related Characters: Eustacia Vye, Clym Yeobright just fine without him. She thinks this because she believes
that Clym is her new savior—that he, not Wildeve, will be
Related Themes: man to take her away from Egdon Heath. However, despite
what she says, and perhaps even what she honestly thinks,
Related Symbols: Eustacia is not over Wildeve. Additionally, even on his
wedding day, Wildeve does not appear to be done with
Page Number: 137 Eustacia. Meanwhile, Thomasin is left in the dark, as her
wedding day has turned into an empty affair for her and a
Explanation and Analysis
battle between her duplicitous husband and his former
This description comes from the first time Eustacia sees lover. It is one of the crueler moments in the novel and
Clym, although these thoughts are the narrator’s, not characterizes Eustacia as manipulative and unlikeable.
Eustacia’s. The description makes Clym sound like a
troubled figure whose mind and body do not align with each
another. Furthermore, this description foreshadows events Book 3, Chapter 1 Quotes
which will occur later in the novel. The parasites that
“I found that I was trying to be like people who had hardly
overrun Clym symbolize the events that take place early on
anything in common with myself. I was endeavouring to put off
in his marriage—or, if one wants to take a more cynical
one sort of life for another sort of life, which was not better
reading, they symbolize Eustacia herself. However, even
than the life I had known before. It was simply different.”
without Eustacia, Clym is out of sync with the world around
him. He does not belong in Paris, nor, as the rest of the novel
demonstrates, does he belong in Egdon Heath. Throughout Related Characters: Clym Yeobright (speaker)
the story, Clym represents the clash of two cultures—that
of natural, isolated Egdon and that of modern, industrialized Related Themes:
Paris—which do not align with one another. This passage
conveys this misalignment in its description of his physical Related Symbols:
and mental features, as well as the way it alludes to Clym’s
ultimate fate. Page Number: 171
Related Characters: Clym Yeobright, Mrs. Yeobright for it. Meanwhile, Mrs. Yeobright comes off as hypocritical.
(speaker), Eustacia Vye Although it is partially true that she wants to protect her
son, she also wants to make sure her family name is not
Related Themes: tarnished. Prior to both Clym’s and Thomasin’s weddings,
Mrs. Yeobright expresses at least as much concern for the
Page Number: 200 family name as she does the welfare of her son and her
niece, if not more. Furthermore, her refusal to apologize in
Explanation and Analysis
this moment is emblematic of her character. She will not
This quote comes from an argument between Clym take back anything she’s said, even if it means further
Yeobright and Mrs. Yeobright, and it touches on a number of eroding her relationship with her son.
key themes in the novel. First and foremost, there is the
question of whether the heath can be changed and, more
specifically, whether it can be modernized. While Clym Book 4, Chapter 2 Quotes
thinks that there is a way to teach his “fellow-creatures,”
Mrs. Yeobright firmly believes that this is impossible. On It was bitterly plain to Eustacia that he did not care much
this count, Clym’s ultimate failure to build a school on Egdon about social failure; and the proud fair woman bowed her head
Heath symbolically suggests that Mrs. Yeobright is right. and wept in sick despair at thought of the blasting effect upon
her own life of that mood and condition in him. Then she came
This passage also addresses the question of class. As the
forward.
son of Mrs. Yeobright, Clym lived a privileged life compared
to the other members of the heath, especially in regard to “I would starve rather than do it!” she exclaimed vehemently.
education. He believes his education has helped him in life, “And you can sing! I will go and live with my grandfather again!”
and he believes that having an education can do the same
for his “fellow-creatures,” too. However, Mrs. Yeobright Related Characters: Eustacia Vye (speaker), Clym
sticks with her typical elitist attitude and insists that her Yeobright, Captain Vye
lower-class neighbors are impossible to educate. She thinks
Clym is living in a fantasy land, not unlike Eustacia. Related Themes:
Related Themes:
Her eyes were fixed on the ground; within her two sights
were graven—that of Clym’s hook and brambles at the Page Number: 307
door, and that of a woman’s face at a window. Her lips trembled,
becoming unnaturally thin as she murmured, “’Tis too Explanation and Analysis
much—Clym, how can he bear to do it! He is at home; and yet This quotation comes from a conversation between
he lets her shut the door against me!” Eustacia and Wildeve as Eustacia tries to figure out if she
can bear to tell Clym the truth about his mother’s death.
Related Characters: Mrs. Yeobright (speaker), Eustacia Although Eustacia’s choice is not easy, her reasons for not
Vye, Clym Yeobright telling Clym the truth are admittedly selfish and at least
partially overstated. Despite what she says, it’s unlikely that
Related Themes: she believes Clym will actually kill her. Additionally, just
before Mrs. Yeobright’s death, Eustacia threatened to
Page Number: 278-279 return to her grandfather’s house anyway. However, that is
not to say that Eustacia does not feel genuine guilt over her
Explanation and Analysis
actions. She is not a monster, and she knows what she has
This passage shows Mrs. Yeobright’s reaction to Eustacia’s done is wrong. In this passage, she even refers to herself as
failure to open the door for her after she walked for miles “the sinner.” The use of the singular here, as well as the
on a hot summer day to see Clym at his and Eustacia’s words that follow, suggest that Eustacia blames herself
house. At this point, Mrs. Yeobright feels that her more than Mrs. Yeobright for what has happened. She does
relationship with Clym is in critical shape, so she makes her take ownership over what she has done, at least in the
way to see him, only to have her son (seemingly) reject her. presence of Wildeve, which helps make her situation more
Mrs. Yeobright takes the rejection as the ultimate insult. sympathetic.
Because she sees Clym’s hook and brambles on the door,
she thinks that he is inside the house, ignoring her. In reality,
though Clym is inside the house, he is taking a nap and Book 5, Chapter 2 Quotes
unaware that she’s come to see him. Additionally, this
“Diggory, if we, who remain alive, were only allowed to
moment leads Mrs. Yeobright to believe that Eustacia is just
hold conversation with the dead—just once, a bare minute,
as loathsome as she always thought she was. It seems to
even through a screen of iron bars, as with persons in
Mrs. Yeobright that Eustacia has poisoned Clym against her
prison—what we might learn! How many who now ride smiling
and thus ruined her relationship with her son for good. The
would hide their heads! And this mystery—I should then be at
tragedy of this moment is that Mrs. Yeobright soon dies (a
the bottom of it at once. But the grave has forever shut her in;
poisonous snake bites her during her walk home from
and how shall it be found out now?”
Clym’s house) without ever learning the truth about how
her son felt about her: that he loved her and didn’t actually
reject her. Related Characters: Clym Yeobright (speaker), Eustacia
Vye, Mrs. Yeobright, Damon Wildeve, Diggory Venn (The
Reddleman)
Book 5, Chapter 1 Quotes
Related Themes:
“But, Damon, please pray tell me what I must do? To sit by
him hour after hour, and hear him reproach himself as being the Page Number: 313
cause of her death, and to know that I am the sinner, if any
human being is at all, drives me into cold despair. I don’t know Explanation and Analysis
what to do. Should I tell him or should I not tell him? I always am This quote comes from a conversation between Clym
asking myself that. O, I want to tell him; and yet I am afraid. If he Yeobright and Diggory Venn. Clym is talking to Venn about
finds it out he must surely kill me, for nothing else will be in the death of his mother; he has received contradictory
proportion to his feelings now.” information about what his mother thought about him at
the time of her death and he is trying to put the pieces
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 1
Twilight closes in on Egdon Heath, a “vast tract of unenclosed Egdon Heath seems almost like a character itself. Throughout the
wild.” Although the coming night has already darkened the land, novel, long passages are dedicated to descriptions of the heath and
the sky still retains light. Egdon Heath is a special stretch of its beauty. The Return of the Native is a work of naturalism, a
land; it is “majestic without severity, impressive without genre which is known for its portrayal of nature as sublime, yet
showiness, emphatic in its admonitions, grand in its simplicity.” indifferent to the struggles of mankind. This theme is at play in the
It is a mixture of beauty and wildness that appeals to “the opening of the novel and will continue to be present throughout.
moods of the more thinking among mankind” as well as a Also important is that the heath remains untouched by outside
remote and primitive place, which rejects civilization and has influences; the people who live there are largely isolated from the
looked the same since “prehistoric times.” To the north of outside world. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that much of the
Egdon Heath is an important highway, once traveled by the novel takes place at night, including the opening.
Romans, which is still visible even as darkness settles in.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 2
An old man (Captain Vye) walks along the highway north of A reddleman is someone who sells red ochre to farmers—red ochre
Egdon Heath where he comes across a reddleman and his is used to dye sheep wool. Because they constantly handled red
wagon. The two walk together for a while, mostly in silence, and ochre, reddlemen’s skin would turn red, making the job undesirable
the old man notices that the reddleman is concerned about to most people. The nosiness that the reddleman exhibits in this
something in his wagon. Then, the old man hears a cry come scene suggests that an interest in knowing others’ business is typical
from the wagon. When he asks the reddleman about the cry, of people who lives on Egdon Heath.
the reddleman tells him that it came from a young woman he is
transporting who cried out in her sleep because she is not used
to travel. The old man presses the reddleman for more
information about the woman’s identity, which makes the
reddleman uncomfortable. The reddleman cuts off the
conversation, telling the old man that he plans to stop and rest
for a while.
As the old man continues on his way, the reddleman looks up at The woman appears to not want to be seen—otherwise, she
a large barrow sitting on Egdon Heath. There, he sees a wouldn’t be standing so still and making a special effort to avoid the
motionless figure standing so still that it seems to be part of the other figures. She also seems uninterested in associating with
structure. Suddenly, the figure moves, and the reddleman can members of her community. The reader’s first impression of her is
tell that it is a woman. It’s not long before the woman vanishes. that she flees from social interaction. At this point, for the other
In her place appear a number of other figures carrying characters—and the reader, too—the woman remains a figure
something, which they deposit on top of the barrow. It appears shrouded in mystery.
that whatever the woman was doing was unrelated to the
project of the other figures, though it seems she made an effort
to avoid them.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 3
The people the reddleman saw are locals of a town called Guy Fawkes Day is a tradition that begin in England in 1605 after
Blackbarrow who are making a bonfire to celebrate Guy the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt on the life of King
Fawkes Day. As they light their bonfire, other fires spring up in James I; people around London lit bonfires to celebrate that the king
the distance. Around the fire, an old man named Grandfer lived. It is this tradition that the residents of Egdon Heath are taking
Cantle dances and sings. Nearby are Timothy Fairway, part in, though its historical roots seem unimportant to them.
Humphrey, Olly Dowden, and Susan Nunsuch. After Grander Instead, the locals use the holiday to drink, catch up with one
Cantle finishes his song and dance, the group gossips about a another, and gossip about news around the heath. It is through
wedding. Earlier in the day, Damon Wildeve married Thomasin characters like Timothy Fairway and Grandfer Cantle that we are
Yeobright despite the disapproval of Mrs. Yeobright, first introduced to the novel’s main characters. Throughout the
Thomasin’s aunt. The town gossips always thought that novel, the locals will continue to act as a valuable source of
Thomasin would marry Clym, Mrs. Yeobright’s son, but he left information, often by filling in important background details about
to live in Paris. the main characters. Here, for instance, they seem to implicitly
reveal the identity of the woman that Venn was transporting in his
wagon as Thomasin Yeobright.
The group’s topic of conversation switches to people who The theme of undesirable marriages runs throughout The Return
cannot marry because they are undesirable. During this of the Native. In fact, the entire novel is structured around three
conversation, Christian Cantle, Grandfer’s son, arrives and says marriages, two of which are considered undesirable by some of the
that he is one such person. Timothy changes the conversation story’s key players. Throughout the novel, social status plays a key
when he mentions possibly seeing a ghost, which looked “as if it role in determining what makes a marriage desirable or undesirable.
had been dipped in blood.” However, the conversation ends Additionally, this passage demonstrates the locals’ fear of the
when Grandfer Cantle starts singing again. As his song ends, supernatural. Though Timothy mentions a red ghost, it seems more
the bonfire begins to die down, which causes the group to likely that he’s just run into the reddleman.
notice a large bonfire burning on Captain Vye’s property.
Timothy guesses that Vye’s granddaughter, who lives there
alone, likely lit the fire.
After more dancing and singing, the group decides they will go At this point in the story, the reddleman is an outsider. He is largely
to see the newlywed couple and congratulate them. However, unknown to the locals who are confused and a little frightened by
before they can do so, the reddleman arrives, asking for the his presence. Nonetheless, he seems familiar with Mrs. Yeobright,
way to Mrs. Yeobright’s place. They tell him the way to go. whom the locals know well. Additionally, this passage introduces
Though he seems familiar, no one can place where they know Clym and explains the name of the novel—Clym is the native who is
him from. Almost immediately afterward, Mrs. Yeobright comes returning home.
across the revelers on her way to the Wildeve place to see the
newlyweds. She reveals that her son, Clym, has recently arrived
home for the holidays. Then, she asks Olly to accompany her to
the Wildeve place because it’s dark. Olly happily agrees to do
so, and the two head off together.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 4
As Olly and Mrs. Yeobright make their way toward Wildeve’s, For Mrs. Yeobright, marriage is all about social advancement. She
Olly remarks that Mrs. Yeobright will miss Thomasin now that wants her family to move up in the world and away from Egdon
she is married because they lived together. Mrs. Yeobright Heath. She knows that this can never happen if Thomasin marries
concurs. Olly continues, saying that she is surprised Mrs. Wildeve, a common innkeeper.
Yeobright ultimately accepted the arrangement. Mrs. Yeobright
agrees but thinks she did the right thing by letting Thomasin
choose her husband. Nonetheless, Mrs. Yeobright disapproves
of Wildeve because he is an innkeeper; Mrs. Yeobright herself
is one of the wealthiest members of the heath, and she thinks
that marrying Wildeve is beneath her niece.
The road diverges, and the two women split up; Olly heads Venn reveals himself to be an upstanding man who is willing to help
home, and Mrs. Yeobright continues on to the Quiet Woman Thomasin, even without knowing the details of her situation.
Inn, owned by Wildeve, where she expects to find her niece. Additionally, it is notable that his father was a dairy-man because
When she arrives at the inn, Mrs. Yeobright finds the dairy farmers had a considerably higher social standing than
reddleman and his wagon. Mrs. Yeobright recognizes the reddleman. This begs the question: why did Venn become a
reddleman as Venn, the son of a dairy-man she once knew. Mrs. reddleman?
Yeobright tells Venn that she going to the inn to see her niece,
but Venn tells her that she isn’t there. He knows this because
Thomasin is who he’s been transporting in his wagon. Venn
explains that Thomasin chased him down on the road and asked
him for a ride. He accepted but does not know what is going
on.
Together, Mrs. Yeobright and Venn move to the back of the While around Venn, Mrs. Yeobright acts performatively. She
wagon where Thomasin lies asleep. As Mrs. Yeobright looks in expresses concern for her niece, but she doesn’t express anger.
to check on her niece, Thomasin wakes up, clearly distressed. However, once Venn can no longer hear them, Mrs. Yeobright
Mrs. Yeobright comforts her and tells her that she is almost immediately shows her true feelings; though she is concerned for
home. Together, the two of them start moving in the direction her niece, she is equally (if not more) concerned about her family’s
of the inn, leaving Venn to continue on his way. As soon as they reputation.
are out of earshot of Venn, Mrs. Yeobright’s tone shifts and she
asks Thomasin, “what’s the meaning of this disgraceful
performance?”
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 5
Mrs. Yeobright’s sudden change of tone shocks Thomasin, and Although the issue with the marriage license may seem like no big
she apologizes for any embarrassment she’s caused. She deal today, during the time The Return of the Native was written,
explains that she and Wildeve were unable to marry because of such an incident would have indeed been considered scandalous.
an issue with the marriage license, although she doesn’t know Mrs. Yeobright knows this and is correct to assume that it will
the details. Mrs. Yeobright continues to chastise her niece; she become the center of the town’s gossip. Additionally, Thomasin’s
is already angry about being the subject of gossip and expects decision to leave Wildeve for Venn suggests that she feels safe or
that this incident will only make things worse. As Mrs. comfortable around him—and perhaps even has a romantic history
Yeobright and Thomasin make their way to the Quiet Woman with him.
Inn to ask Wildeve about the issue with the marriage license,
Thomasin explains that she abandoned Wildeve and went with
Venn because she was so upset that she couldn’t get married.
Thomasin and Wildeve move off to a side room where they can Though Mrs. Yeobright intention in meddling with Thomasin’s
speak alone. Wildeve tells Thomasin that he still wants to marry marriage is purportedly for Thomasin’s benefit, it often has the
her, but he is annoyed with Mrs. Yeobright because of the opposite effect—here, it’s caused a minor rift between Thomasin
scene she’s caused and because of how she treats him. Before and Wildeve . Wildeve is annoyed by Mrs. Yeobright’s
their conversation can advance too far, the bonfire group condescension and with good reason. However, he proves that he
arrives and begins singing. Wildeve tells Mrs. Yeobright to hide can be quite condescending himself in his interactions with the
in the side room with Thomasin while he faces the bonfire crew. bonfire crew.
Unaware of what has happened, the bonfire crew enters and
congratulates Wildeve on his marriage. They all have a drink
together and engage in idle gossip. Wildeve tolerates them but
treats them rather rudely.
After a while, the conversation turns to the subject of the Vye Wildeve treats the bonfire as though it is some sort of signal for him.
homestead. Fairway tells Wildeve about the bonfire, and He also acts as though the bonfire it is more important to him than
Wildeve looks out the window to find it still burning. Soon after, dealing with Mrs. Yeobright and Thomasin. His fixation on the
the revelers leave. Wildeve looks in the side room and finds bonfire becomes clear when he says to himself that he “must go to
that Mrs. Yeobright and Thomasin are also gone. After a brief her,” which implies that another woman in his life (besides
detour to Olly’s house, where he drops off a bottle of wine, Thomasin) is using the bonfire to summon him.
Wildeve heads in the direction of the Vye property, while
saying to himself, “Yes—by Heaven, I must go to her, I suppose.”
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 6
After the revelers depart to see the newlyweds, a woman walks This scene mirrors the end of the previous chapter when Wildeve
up to what remains of their bonfire. It is the same woman looks at the bonfire. Though it’s still unclear who this woman is, it’s
whom Venn saw earlier. She is tall and “lady-like in her obvious that her bonfire is indeed meant to summon Wildeve. It also
movements.” Unlike most women, she is not afraid to walk seems clear that this woman often walks alone on the heath at
alone around the heath at night. As the wind blows around her, night—something that nobody else who lives on the heath seems to
making a sound which almost sounds like music, the woman do. There are rules to living on the heath if one wants to survive, and
sighs. She is looking at the light coming from Wildeve’s, which is this woman—either out of arrogance or out of ignorance about
the cause of her frustration. these rules does not follow them.
Shortly after Eustacia arrives at the bonfire, Captain Vye comes Eustacia’s explanation to Captain Vye, her grandfather, is clearly a
out and asks why she is still out and about. Eustacia tells him it lie. Johnny is annoyed that he is up so late and wants to go home.
is because Johnny is enjoying the fire and doesn’t want it to Eustacia’s reaction to Johnny’s mention of a frog jumping into a
stop. After Captain Vye leaves, Eustacia gets Johnny to agree pond suggests that the noise is actually another signal, one that
to tend to the fire just a little longer. Then, Johnny mentions Wildeve has sent.
that he’s heard the sound of a frog jumping into a pond. This
animates Eustacia, who then gives Johnny money and tells him
he can leave.
After Johnny’s departure, Eustacia meets up with Wildeve Wildeve’s continued courting of Eustacia is one reason to suspect
nearby. Though Eustacia is glad to see Wildeve, she is also that his claims about the marriage license in earlier chapters may
angry with him. Wildeve used to pursue Eustacia in secret; the not be true. Additionally, his claim that he may give up Thomasin for
two of them were apparently in love. However, Eustacia is Eustacia may not be true either. Both Wildeve and Eustacia are
upset about Wildeve’s recent engagement to Thomasin and prone to sudden and significant mood shifts, making their
pretends that she is no longer interested in him. In response, conversations with each other volatile and full of deception.
Wildeve implies that he may give up Thomasin for Eustacia. Additionally, Wildeve’s actions would’ve been considered highly
Then Wildeve departs, leaving Eustacia alone with her scandalous and immoral to the novel’s repressed, Victorian
thoughts. She still loves Wildeve, but she feels as though he is audience.
playing with her emotions.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 7
Eustacia is “the material of a divinity” with “the passions and The novel often relates Egdon and its inhabitants to Greek and
instincts which make a model goddess” but “not quite a model Roman mythology. Rather than describe Eustacia as angelic, which
woman.” She dislikes Egdon Heath, though, “since coming there would befit the Christian tradition of his audience, the novel
she had imbibed much of what was dark in its tone.” Eustacia is describes her as a “goddess.” In Greek and Roman mythology, gods
originally from Budmouth, “a fashionable seaside resort” that is and goddesses were often deeply flawed, and this is what this
20 or 30 miles away from Egdon. There, she received a good passage means to impart about Eustacia. Also like the gods and
education, though she eventually had to leave for Egdon after goddesses of the Greco-Roman tradition, Eustacia sees herself as
the death of her parents. Ever since, she’s lived with her above everyone else.
grandfather, who is one of the wealthiest people on the heath,
along with the Yeobrights.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 8
Johnny starts walking home but is scared of doing so in the Johnny is the first person to overhear one of Eustacia and Wildeve’s
dark. Instead, he turns around to ask if Eustacia will accompany conversations, but he will not be the last. Eustacia and Wildeve are
him. He arrives back at the fire and finds Eustacia talking to not as secret and cunning as they think they are. Additionally, the
Wildeve. But Johnny doesn’t alert them to his novel once again stresses the danger of walking alone on the heath
presence—though he doesn’t fully understand their in the dark.
conversation, he understands that he likely shouldn’t be privy
to it. As such, he decides to walk home on his own after all.
On his way home, Johnny comes across the Venn’s wagon. The Venn’s appearance is frightening to Johnny because of his red glow.
wagon scares Johnny because the children on the heath think However, Venn once again proves himself to be a kind man, albeit a
of Venn as some sort of boogeyman. He tries to sneak by Venn’s nosy one. Though Johnny is a child and does not put much thought
wagon but ends up tripping and rolling right to Venn’s feet. into why Wildeve and Eustacia would be meeting secretly, Venn
Venn asks Johnny questions about Eustacia and the bonfire, instantly knows what is going on.
and Johnny responds to them all. In return, Venn answers
Johnny’s questions about his occupation and assures him that
he isn’t any sort of boogeyman. Although Johnny is still
nervous, this largely puts him at ease. Eventually, their
conversation ends, and Johnny goes home, though not before
Venn learns that Wildeve went to see Eustacia on the night he
was supposed to marry Thomasin.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 9
Reddlemen are becoming rare around the heath, though they Throughout the 19th century, many jobs that used to be common
used to be a more common sight. Because their red glow makes began to disappear as England became more modern and
them stand out, children are afraid of them. It is a job that pays industrialized. This makes Venn a less common sight than he
well, but the bodily changes that come along with it, relegate its would’ve been 100 years prior, which only makes his odd
practitioners to a low spot on the social hierarchy. It is appearance stand out more. Though Venn makes a good living as a
especially strange that Venn chose this occupation, because he reddleman, it is odd that he would choose to lower his social
was born to a class which typically considers itself above such standing, especially in a society that is so rigorously structured
work. according to class.
Nonetheless, Venn is still protective of Thomasin, and he does Throughout the novel, Venn will act as a largely silent observer of
what he can to help her. As such, Johnny’s information bothers the story’s other key players. He often operates by hiding in the
him, and he makes it his duty to figure out what is going on shadows, only revealing himself when he thinks he may prove
between Eustacia and Wildeve. Despite his love for Thomasin, useful. Although Venn is perhaps a more morally upstanding figure
his goal is to make sure she marries Wildeve, because he thinks than some of the other characters in the novel, he is not above
it will bring her the most happiness. In order to make this spying and secrecy.
happen, Venn waits silently near Eustacia’s house over the next
several nights, hoping to overhear one of her meetings with
Wildeve.
Sure enough, four nights after their first meeting, Wildeve Eustacia and Wildeve’s conversations quickly become repetitive.
comes again. Eustacia and Wildeve have a conversation that is Both play with the other’s emotions and neither is sure that they
not unlike their first. Wildeve insists that he is still interested in want to be with the other. However, their mutual hatred of Egdon
Eustacia but admits that he is in a tricky situation. Meanwhile, binds them together, though it is not clear whether Wildeve can
Eustacia continues to play with Wildeve’s emotions by actually carry out the plan he suggests. Meanwhile, Venn proves to
sometimes suggesting that she still loves him and other times be quite the schemer himself.
suggesting that she is done with him. Eventually, their
conversation turns to their mutual hatred of Egdon Heath, at
which point Wildeve suggests that they run away to America
together. This surprises Eustacia, who asks for some time to
think about his proposition. After their conversation, Wildeve
departs. Venn returns to his wagon and thinks about the best
way to break up Wildeve and Eustacia so that the Wildeve can
marry Thomasin.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 10
On a quiet, Sunday afternoon Venn walks to Captain Vye’s Unlike much of England at the time, Egdon is not especially
house to talk to Eustacia. He has time to do so because no one religious. The distance between homes makes traveling to church on
goes to church on Sunday in Egdon Heath unless someone is a weekly basis impractical, so it is a tradition that the community
being “married or buried.” Like Eustacia, Captain Vye is a bit of a has largely abandoned. Meanwhile, Venn’s arrival at the Vye
wild card, so he rarely gets visitors. Nonetheless, when Venn household suggests that he has come up with a plan to separate
arrives, Captain Vye greets him warmly. Captain Vye informs Eustacia and Wildeve.
Venn that Eustacia is still asleep but says he will tell her that
Venn wants to speak with her. Venn waits outside and is just
about to leave when Eustacia comes strolling over to him.
Eustacia bristles at Venn’s accusations. Although she doesn’t Here, Eustacia is a rather sympathetic character because, as she
deny meeting with Wildeve, she thinks that she is the one who says, she has been wronged at least as much as Thomasin. However,
has been wronged. After all, Wildeve courted her first; this does not sway Venn, who utilizes his only bit of leverage. He
Thomasin came into the picture later. In response, Venn knows that Eustacia wants to get away from Egdon (even more than
attempts to make her a deal. He knows an elderly woman in she wants to marry Wildeve), so he makes her a seemingly
Budmouth that needs a companion. He offers to put Eustacia in appealing offer. However, Eustacia’s ego will not allow her to take a
contact with her so that she can leave the heath. However, job, even if the job is simply acting as an old woman’s companion.
Eustacia considers herself above having to work for a living and
rejects the offers. Angered, Eustacia stops the conversation
before it can go any further and leaves. Venn departs, upset
that his plan didn’t work. Meanwhile, Eustacia feels stronger
than ever about running away with Wildeve.
BOOK 1, CHAPTER 11
Having failed to persuade Eustacia, Venn decides to talk to Mrs. Here, it is apparent that Mrs. Yeobright cares more about
Yeobright. He finds Mrs. Yeobright on her way to see Wildeve; appearances than Thomasin’s happiness. Though she suspects that
she looks upset. Venn strikes up a conversation with her and Thomasin could live a happier life with Venn, she worries about how
admits he was once one of Thomasin’s suitors. He asks whether Thomasin marrying Venn would negatively affect her family’s
there is a possibility that he could marry Thomasin, but Mrs. reputation.
Yeobright says no. Although she does not like Wildeve, she
feels that it is best for Thomasin’s reputation if she marries him.
Venn disagrees with this assessment, but there is nothing he
can do.
However, even though Venn is dejected, Mrs. Yeobright is Like many other characters in the novel, Mrs. Yeobright is happy to
excited. She now has a bargaining chip to use against Wildeve. resort to deception if it means getting what she wants. Unlike Venn,
Mrs. Yeobright arrives at Wildeve’s inn and the two of them who approaches Eustacia with an honest offer, Mrs. Yeobright uses
begin discussing the marriage between Wildeve and Thomasin. manipulation. In this case, her manipulative tactics are effective; like
Mrs. Yeobright tells Wildeve that he needs to act soon because Eustacia, Wildeve is motivated by jealousy. Additionally, Mrs.
Thomasin now has a different suitor. She does not reveal the Yeobright tells Wildeve that he cannot speak to Thomasin because
suitor’s identity, but it does not matter; the news clearly she doesn’t want him learning the truth about the other suitor.
bothers Wildeve. Mrs. Yeobright informs Wildeve that if he
doesn’t marry Thomasin soon, she will accept the offer of the
other man instead. She also tells him that he is not allowed to
see Thomasin in the meantime.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 1
Winter arrives in the heath, leading to many cold and dark days. Eustacia, who normally never interacts with anyone except Wildeve,
Eustacia sits inside and listens to her grandfather, Sam and demonstrates her interest in Clym by sitting and listening to others
Humphrey discuss Clym’s return to Egdon. She learns that talk about him. Additionally, despite Wildeve’s promises to Mrs.
Clym works as a jeweler in Paris and that he is extremely Yeobright, it seems that he still hasn’t married Thomasin. This
intelligent. She also hears that both of his parents were born suggests that he is still holding out hope for Eustacia, though she
well off, though his father is now dead. Shortly afterward, their appears to have moved on from him in favor of Clym.
conversation switches to the topic of Thomasin’s marriage, or
lack thereof. Apparently, Thomasin is sick, and nobody has seen
her since the day of her aborted wedding.
Eustacia is bored by the talk of Thomasin and instead begins to Eustacia cares little about those who live around her and finds her
fantasize about Clym and the life they could lead together in thoughts drifting to self-serving fantasies. Before she even meets
Paris. While doing so, she takes a walk out on the heath. She Clym, she’s already imagined what he can do for her. In her mind, he
heads toward Blooms-End, the home of the Yeobrights. is a completely romantic figure, which is reflected in Hardy’s
Eventually, she comes to a “removed spot to which was about romanticized description of Paris as “the centre and vortex of the
to return a man whose latter life had been passed in the French fashionable world.”
capital—the centre and vortex of the fashionable world.”
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 2
Although she is still feeling down about her disastrous love life, Mrs. Yeobright acts rather cruelly to her niece, maintaining an “I told
Thomasin agrees to help Mrs. Yeobright prepare for Clym’s you so” attitude. Meanwhile, Thomasin is miserable and
arrival. Together, they clean and pick apples while discussing embarrassed, and Clym’s arrival only makes things worse. At one
the ongoing situation. Thomasin is upset because she feels as point, the community thought that Thomasin and Clym would
though people are judging her unfairly. However, Mrs. marry, and so Thomasin is nervous for Clym to find out that not
Yeobright doesn’t feel bad for Thomasin because she warned only does she plan to marry someone else, but she has also
her not to get herself into such a situation. Still, both of them tarnished the family’s name as a result. Additionally, the marriage
think it is best that Thomasin goes forward with the marriage. still has not occurred and it is not clear if it ever will.
Thomasin insists that she still loves Wildeve, though Mrs.
Yeobright thinks she is lying. Additionally, Thomasin asks that
Mrs. Yeobright not tell Clym about her current situation; she
wants to be able to tell him herself. Mrs. Yeobright agrees not
to tell Clym, and then the two of them head to spot where they
expect him to arrive.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 3
Still excited by Clym’s impending arrival, Eustacia spends time Eustacia spends her day looking for Clym only to ignore him when
near the Yeobright property, hoping to catch a glimpse of the she finally crosses paths with him. It is not clear why she does so.
man from Paris. However, it looks as though no one is home, so Perhaps it is because she is not friendly with the Yeobrights, or
she decides to head back. Just then, she hears the Yeobrights perhaps she is too nervous and excited to think clearly. Regardless,
and, shortly afterward, passes them on the road. As she does her first interaction with Clym is over before it even begins.
so, the Yeobrights greet her, and the sound of Clym’s voice
excites her. However, she keeps her head down during this
brief exchange and therefore does not get a chance to see
Clym. Nonetheless, this interaction is still enough to get
Eustacia to fantasize about Clym for the rest of the day.
Eustacia heads home and asks Captain Vye why they aren’t More than anything else, this passage is an important and easy to
friendly with the Yeobrights. Captain Vye doesn’t give a clear miss bit of character development for Mrs. Yeobright. Despite
answer, though he does tell her that she would not like them insisting that Thomasin marry someone who is at the very least her
because they are simple country people. This confuses social equal, it seems that Mrs. Yeobright herself married below her
Eustacia, who thinks of Mrs. Yeobright as “a lady-like woman.” social standing. This opens up a number of questions about her
Captain Vye then tells Eustacia that Mrs. Yeobright was born character. Does Mrs. Yeobright regret her choice? Is she acting
rich but married a dairy farmer who was well below her social hypocritically?
standing.
After her conversation with her grandfather, Eustacia goes to Eustacia literally dreams of Clym as a knight in shining armor. This
bed and dreams about a “man in silver armour” who takes her is a highly romanticized depiction of a man who Eustacia still has
magnificent places and dances with her. However, the man not even met. Thinking of him in such a high regard can only lead to
never removes his helmet, and Eustacia never sees his face. She disappointment, though this is a lesson that Eustacia has yet to
wakes up frustrated that her dream concealed the face of her learn.
knight in shining armor. As such, Eustacia spends her days
walking around the heath, hoping to catch a glimpse of Clym.
However, after several days of doing so, she has no luck and
eventually gives up on this plan.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 4
It is two days before Christmas. Eustacia is sitting home alone, Although she partially brings the isolation upon herself, it is not
upset that she is unlikely to see Clym before he returns to difficult to see why Eustacia finds the heath so lonely. It is difficult
Paris. Because Egdon Heath is so remote, the community does for her to come into contact with Clym, even as she actively tries to
not get together for Christmas, so even the holidays cannot do so. However, the arrival of the mummers gives Eustacia the
bring Eustacia and Clym together. While sitting and moping, opportunity she has been looking for. A mummer is an English term
Eustacia hears a knock on the door. She answers it to find a for an actor who delivered pantomime performances around the
group of mummers who want to use Captain Vye’s fuel-house holidays, especially Christmas; they were prominent in the 18th and
to rehearse their play. Eustacia gives them permission to use it. 19th centuries.
The next night, Charley returns and gives Eustacia his costume. Charley’s feelings for Eustacia are sweet and innocent—and this
The two of them hold hands for several minutes, though makes Eustacia’s manipulation of him for personal gain all the more
Charley ends the session early, insisting that he wants to save cruel.
some of his time for later. Eustacia tells him that that’s fine, as
long as he’s used up the whole 15 minutes by the end of the
week. Then, Eustacia leaves to put on the costume. When she
returns, Charley decides that he wants to use up more of his
hand-holding time. Before long, he forgets about his time limit
and unwittingly uses up all he has left. This pleases Eustacia and
the two of them go their separate ways.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 5
The following evening, Eustacia meets her fellow mummers Eustacia’s decision to join the mummers is a big moment of
near the fuel-house. She introduces herself as Miss Vye’s character development, and it also reinforces her genuine desire to
cousin who has come to replace Charley because he is ill. The escape Egdon. Previously, Eustacia has actively avoided the rest of
others are skeptical at first, but Eustacia recites a few lines to her community, and now she is going to perform in front of all of
win them over. The mummers head to Blooms-End, and them. Once again, she remains steadfast in the notion that Clym is
Eustacia wonders whether all of this effort is worth it. her savior, despite having never met the man.
However, she convinces herself that her efforts will not be in
vain, because she will soon meet the man who has “the power
to deliver her soul from a most deadly oppression.”
The mummers arrive at Blooms-End but have to wait outside in Eustacia is not used to others treating her like a member of the
the cold—there is still dancing going on inside, and they have to lower classes, and she bristles at the idea of waiting outside in the
wait their turn. After a while, the mummers consider heading cold. This sense of entitlement immediately gives her away to her
inside before they are called, though Eustacia insists that doing fellow mummers, all of whom are presumably used to much worse.
so would be rude. After talking amongst themselves for some
time, the mummers ask Eustacia if she is Eustacia Vye. Eustacia
does not give a clear answer to their question, though it is
obvious that the mummers have figured out the truth. They
promise not to reveal her true identity.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 6
As the play continues, Eustacia keeps a look out for her knight Thomasin, it appears, is still not showing her face in public after her
in shining armor. As she looks around, she notices that failed marriage ceremony. Additionally, although Eustacia fails to
Thomasin is not present. Then, her gaze settles on Clym, who is see it, Clym is not as perfect as she has imagined him to be.
an impressive-looking young man. Though he is handsome, one However, Eustacia fails to see anything in Clym other than what he
looking critically at Clym would recognize that something is can provide for her.
eating him up inside. However, Eustacia doesn’t notice this.
Instead, she immediately falls in love with him; he is everything
she dreamed about and more.
The play ends, and Timothy and Christian arrive. Mrs. Though Eustacia has managed to get physically close to Clym, she is
Yeobright chides them for their tardiness, but they insist that now faced with a problem; that is, how can she interact with him
they wanted to wait until the opportune time to arrive. Clym without revealing her identity? Even when Clym comes to her, she
welcomes the newcomers, and everyone catches up with one cannot bring herself to strike up a conversation with him.
another. Meanwhile, Eustacia continues to stare at Clym, still
smitten by his good looks and charm. After a while, Clym offers
the mummers a drink and, though Eustacia declines, Clym’s
attention thrills her.
As the party continues to drag on, Eustacia begins to worry Thomasin’s excuse to Clym is confusing for him because he still
that her identity will be revealed. Nonetheless, she continues hasn’t learned about her engagement to Wildeve. Meanwhile,
to follow Clym around, which results in her eavesdropping on a Eustacia continues to struggle with courting Clym. Because she has
conversation between Clym and Thomasin. Clym wants isolated herself from the community, Eustacia has no way to
Thomasin to join in the fun, but Thomasin says that she is too contact Clym after the night of the Christmas party. Additionally,
sick to do so. Eustacia sees through Thomasin’s excuse, though she doesn’t want to make a scene by revealing her true identity.
Clym is confused. Later on, Clym confronts Eustacia and asks
her if she is actually a woman. Eustacia says that she is but
refuses to reveal her true identity. After the party, Eustacia is
upset because she knows that, although she has finally met
Clym, she is no closer to getting him to marry her. Clym doesn’t
even know her true identity, and she worries that Thomasin
could end up with him instead.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 7
The day after the party, Captain Vye asks Eustacia where she’s Although Captain Vye is Eustacia’s guardian, he treats her more as a
been—he thinks that her behavior has been strange lately and friend than a granddaughter. He does not give her orders and allows
wants to get to the bottom of it. At first, Eustacia replies her to go where she pleases. Unlike Mrs. Yeobright, Captain Vye is
vaguely, but she eventually admits that she was acting in a play. not concerned with social improprieties or his family name.
Eustacia’s answer amuses Captain Vye, and he drops the Additionally, Eustacia immediately sees through Mrs. Yeobright’s
subject. After their conversation, Eustacia leaves and starts scheme regarding Venn. There are moments such as this that make
walking. Before long, she spots Venn and approaches him. She Eustacia seem quite perceptive. However, she still has difficulty
asks Venn why he is still in Egdon during the wintertime when examining her own situation with the same critical eye.
his services are no longer needed. Venn admits that his
continued presence is related to Thomasin. Eustacia writes him
off as a last resort for Thomasin who Mrs. Yeobright is simply
using to her advantage.
In the middle of her discussion with Venn, Eustacia spots Eustacia’s decision to avoid Wildeve rather confront him head-on
Wildeve coming up the road. Hoping to avoid him, Eustacia asks speaks to her immaturity and inability to self-reflect.
Venn if she can sit in his wagon, where she won’t be seen.
However, she does not tell Venn the truth of why she wants to
do so. Venn allows her to sit in the wagon and, after a short
time. Wildeve passes by. Venn realizes why Eustacia hid and
tells her so. Eustacia tells Venn that, despite what he may think,
she wants Wildeve to marry Thomasin. Venn is surprised; he
knows that Eustacia and Wildeve are meant to meet that very
evening.
Eustacia wants to get rid of Wildeve but doesn’t know how. Here, Venn’s motives are questionable. Certainly, he derives some
Venn tells her to write Wildeve a letter and says he’ll deliver it satisfaction out of getting to deliver Wildeve the news. He feels
to him on Eustacia’s behalf. Eustacia does so, though she does Wildeve has wronged Thomasin and that this incident will put him
not understand why Venn is so interested in helping another in his place.
man pursue the woman he loves. Regardless, Venn takes the
letter from Eustacia and delivers it to Wildeve.
Eustacia’s letter is short and to the point. Eustacia blames Venn, who largely lives apart from society, cannot believe that
Wildeve for their failed relationship and returns all of the gifts, Thomasin would still want to be with Wildeve after what he has
via Venn, that he ever gave her. This angers Wildeve, though done. However, Thomasin and Mrs. Yeobright’s feelings about
Venn is quite pleased. Venn thinks that Thomasin will reject propriety and honor will not allow them to make any other decision.
Wildeve, which is what he feels Wildeve deserves. Meanwhile,
Venn will be the next in line for Thomasin’s hand. Excited, Venn
makes his way to Bloom’s End. However, when he arrives, he
finds Wildeve who explains to Venn that he and Thomasin will
soon be married. Mrs. Yeobright confirms Wildeve’s
assertation and Venn departs, once again sad that he cannot
marry Thomasin himself.
BOOK 2, CHAPTER 8
Clym is away visiting a friend while the drama occurs between The beginning of this chapter replays the end of the previous
Thomasin’s suitors. However, he hears rumors about what has chapter, this time from Thomasin and Mrs. Yeobright’s perspective.
been going on and writes angrily to his mother about the Evidently, Thomasin never told Clym about her suitors and let him
situation. Although Thomasin is upset by her situation, she still learn the drama for himself. In this way, she is like Eustacia; she
insists on marrying Wildeve. She has just spoken to Wildeve, avoids responsibility and allows others to deliver bad news.
who promises that they will marry soon. While discussing the
situation with Mrs. Yeobright, there is a knock on the door—it’s
Venn. Mrs. Yeobright answers and sends Venn away by
informing him that Thomasin will marry Wildeve. Thomasin
feels bad for Venn but thinks that there is nothing that can be
done to fix his broken heart.
Several days later, Thomasin and Wildeve get married. Unlike Thomasin and Mrs. Yeobright, Clym is not overly concerned
Thomasin does her best to put on a happy face, though the with the optics of Thomasin’s wedding. However, he is hurt that he
circumstances of her marriage clearly upset her. She insists was kept in the dark and not invited to the wedding itself.
that no one she knows be allowed to attend the ceremony and
purposely schedules it the morning of Clym’s return so that he
will not have time to come. When Clym returns, Mrs. Yeobright
catches him up on the situation. Clym tells her that he wants to
go to the wedding anyway, although he is too late.
Venn shows up at the Yeobright residence and tells the This part of the novel contains a nasty bit of Eustacia’s
Yeobrights that the wedding is over. He knows because he sat characteristic posturing. Though she clearly wants to tell Wildeve
nearby and watched the whole thing. The wedding went that she is done with him, she does so by ruining his wedding day.
smoothly this time, though oddly, Eustacia was in attendance. Additionally, the latter half of the novel demonstrates that Eustacia
Venn doesn’t witness Eustacia’s interaction with Wildeve; is not as over Wildeve as she pretends to be.
however, the narrator makes it clear that Eustacia attended to
demonstrate to Wildeve that she no longer cares for him. In a
low voice, she tells Wildeve, “it gives me sincerest pleasure to
see her your wife to-day.”
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 1
As time stretches on, it becomes clear to the locals that Clym Eustacia wants Clym to take her to Paris, but Clym has no desire to
doesn’t plan to leave Egdon Heath anytime soon. They gossip return to Paris. This conflict is central to the entirety of Books 3 and
about why this might be. When Clym comes for his haircut, Sam 4. Additionally, Clym’s desire to build a school near Egdon suggests
and Fairway ask him why he is still around. Clym reveals to that he wants to modernize the heath, an environment notoriously
them that he did not like Paris because he didn’t like his job and immune to modernization.
couldn’t find people who think like him. Instead, he wants to
stay in Egdon and start a school. However, Fairway thinks that
he will change his mind before too long.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 2
Though Clym’s love for Egdon is genuine, his plan for a school is Clym’s plans are the last thing Mrs. Yeobright wants to hear about
half-baked. When he reveals his plans to Mrs. Yeobright, she is after Thomasin’s disastrous marriage. She worries that Clym will
shocked and angered. Mrs. Yeobright worked hard to make continue to lower the status of their family by remaining at Egdon.
sure that Clym was educated and could make a better life for Although Mrs. Yeobright and Eustacia will soon clash heads, they
himself than what can be found on the heath. She feels as are not all that different from each other. Both believe that life is
though Clym wants to throw all of her hard work away. Clym better away from the heath.
insists that wealth and status aren’t everything, though Mrs.
Yeobright clearly disagrees.
In the middle of their argument, Christian arrives with a story. Eustacia likely attended church hoping to see Clym, although that
Apparently, Eustacia attended church for the first time in a long obviously did not happen. However, her plan works indirectly
time. During the service, Susan Nunsuch jabbed Eustacia with a because Clym learns her name and immediately takes an interest in
needle. Though Mrs. Yeobright doesn’t like Eustacia, she feels her. Also, it is worth noting that the reason Susan jabs Eustacia is to
bad for her, and Clym is even more sympathetic. Clym also test whether she is a witch.
wonders whether such simple and superstitious people would
truly benefit from the school he hopes to build. However, he is
interested in Eustacia and begins looking for an excuse to meet
her. He thinks she might be the same woman he met at the
Christmas party. Before long, an excuse arrives, as Sam informs
Clym that the Vyes are having an issue with their well. Clym
insists on coming along to help.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 3
Mrs. Yeobright is worried that Clym will become romantically Once again, Mrs. Yeobright’s efforts to interfere in a family
involved with Eustacia and tells him so. However, Clym ignores member’s love life go ignored. Unsurprisingly, Clym immediately
her and heads to the Vye residence. When he arrives, he finds a takes an interest in the beautiful Eustacia, whom he also feels quite
group of local men attempting to remove a water bucket that is bad for. He thinks of superstition as a primitive way of thinking that
stuck in the well. Clym offers to help, though nothing comes of his school could help modernize.
it. Eventually, the men leave, deciding that there is nothing
more that can be done for the time being. Eustacia is upset so
Clym offers to get her some clean water. Eustacia politely
declines his offer and then the two of them try once again to
get the bucket out of the well. However, they fail, and Eustacia
cuts her hand in the process. Clym examines her wound and
offers an apology on behalf of Egdon for what occurred at
church.
Over the next few days, Clym and Eustacia begin meeting up Mrs. Yeobright suspects that Eustacia was the reason why Wildeve
with each another, and a romance starts to blossom. Mrs. refused to marry Thomasin, which makes the elder woman dislike
Yeobright is upset by this development and tells Clym to stay her. Additionally, Eustacia is a bit of an outcast in the Egdon
away from Eustacia. However, Clym doesn’t listen. Mrs. community, and Mrs. Yeobright worries about how such a marriage
Yeobright is especially angry after she hears that Clym gave would affect the Yeobright family’s reputation.
Eustacia a gift that was meant to be hers. Tensions continue to
rise between Clym and his mother. One day, they get into a big
fight; Mrs. Yeobright calls Eustacia a “hussy,” and Clym storms
out, not wanting to say anything that will make matters worse.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 4
Clym spends his days studying and his nights with Eustacia. Clym and Eustacia have fallen in love with each other, which makes
One night, Clym meets Eustacia, and the two them discuss Mrs. it hard for either one of them to look at their situation objectively.
Yeobright’s feelings toward her. Though Eustacia worries that Clearly, Clym has no interest in returning to Paris. Eustacia thinks
Mrs. Yeobright hates her, Clym is convinced that his mother she can convince him to go anyway, and Clym thinks that he can
will come around. Eustacia turns the topic of conversation to convince her to stay. Additionally, though it is possible that Mrs.
Paris, a subject Clym finds boring. Eustacia tells Clym that she Yeobright may come around, it is certainly not a guarantee; Mrs.
will marry him if he’ll take her to Paris, though he tells her that Yeobright has proven herself to be quite stubborn up to this point in
this is unlikely to happen. This displeases Eustacia, though she the novel.
ultimately tells Clym that she will marry him anyway.
Afterward, Eustacia leaves, and Clym is left to wonder whether
marriage is a good idea. He thinks Eustacia is still set on going
to Paris, regardless of what she says. He also worries about
what their marriage will do to his relationship with his mother.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 5
Mrs. Yeobright hears from Captain Vye that Clym is going to Although the conditions surrounding their impending marriage are
marry Eustacia, and she is not happy. She yells at Clym and calls not ideal, Clym and Eustacia have managed to make a compromise
Eustacia “an unworthy person.” This doesn’t go over well with in the form of Budmouth. Still, though, Eustacia holds out hope for
Clym, who, once again, angrily storms out of the house. He Paris, suggesting that Clym is right to be concerned about rushing
meets up with Eustacia, and the two of them discuss Mrs. into this marriage too quickly.
Yeobright’s disapproval. Then, they move onto a happier
subject; Clym promises Eustacia that after the first six months
of their marriage, he will move them to Budmouth. In the
meantime, they will live in a small cottage while Clym studies.
Eustacia is hesitant, but she ultimately agrees to Clym’s
conditions. Eustacia leaves, and Clym contemplates his
situation. He loves Eustacia but is worried about what she
expects out of their marriage.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 6
Clym leaves Blooms End, wishing Mrs. Yeobright farewell. He A number of issues arise in this novel because characters refuse to
tells her that he hopes that she comes to see him soon, but she interact with one another directly. Instead, they act passive
says she probably won’t—Clym is planning to marry Eustacia aggressively or turn to an outside source for help. This is the case
soon, and Mrs. Yeobright still disapproves. After Clym leaves, with Thomasin in this passage, and it results in a chain reaction of
Thomasin arrives and asks her aunt some questions about anger and misunderstandings.
money. Apparently, she wants some money, but doesn’t know
how to get it from Wildeve. It is unclear whether she’s asked
him for any directly. Mrs. Yeobright tells her that she should
insist that Wildeve give her money, though the suggestion
makes Thomasin uncomfortable. Mrs. Yeobright worries that
Wildeve is not treating Thomasin very well.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 7
Mrs. Yeobright does not attend Clym’s wedding. Instead, she Again, Mrs. Yeobright fails to place any faith in Wildeve. Although
spends the day at home, sad and alone. Before long, Wildeve this is not overly concerning to Wildeve in the moment, it will have
stops by because he heard there is something for Thomasin repercussions later in the novel.
that needs to be picked up. Immediately, Mrs. Yeobright is
skeptical of Wildeve. She thinks Wildeve may know about
Thomasin’s money and means to claim it for himself. As such,
she tells Wildeve that she will give it to Thomasin later. Wildeve
finds this strange but does not put too much stock into it.
After Wildeve’s departure, Mrs. Yeobright contemplates the Mrs. Yeobright’s decision to trust Christian over Wildeve
best way to send Thomasin the money without Wildeve’s immediately backfires as it seems that Christian and Wildeve are
knowledge. She decides that it would make the most sense to bound to run into each other. Evidently, Mrs. Yeobright’s decision to
have Christian deliver it. Additionally, she decides to give Clym distrust Wildeve is not merely class-based—after all, Christian is not
his part of the inheritance as a wedding gift. She gives the well off—it is character-based, as well.
money to Christian and tells him her plan. Christian agrees to
deliver the money and sets off to do so. On his way to
Thomasin, he comes across some of the locals, including
Fairway, who convince him to come to Wildeve’s inn with them.
Christian arrives at the Quiet Woman Inn with the others, and Christian’s involvement in gambling cannot go anywhere good,
they convince him to gamble. He manages to win some money seeing as he possesses a large sum of money that is not his.
and insists on keeping the dice that led him to victory. After, Meanwhile, although Wildeve is far from the most sympathetic
Christian briefly speaks to Wildeve and implies that he has character in the novel, his anger at Mrs. Yeobright is not
money to give to Thomasin. Wildeve realizes that the money is unwarranted. As far as he’s concerned, he’s done nothing to make
what Mrs. Yeobright refused to give him. He is annoyed that Mrs. Yeobright think that he would withhold money from
she doesn’t trust him enough to give him Thomasin’s Thomasin.
inheritance and starts to plot his revenge.
BOOK 3, CHAPTER 8
Venn challenges Wildeve to a game of dice. Slowly, Venn wins Venn once again proves himself to be Thomasin’s savoir, even if
back all of the money Wildeve made off of Christian. As the Thomasin does not know it. Although his actions are largely selfless,
game progresses, Wildeve becomes increasingly angry, it is apparent that Venn enjoys getting the better of Wildeve, whom
although he eventually concedes defeat and hands over all of he feels is undeserving of Thomasin. Additionally, Wildeve’s decision
the money to Venn. Shortly after the game ends, the to hide from Eustacia suggests that he still has unresolved feelings
newlyweds (Eustacia and Clym) go by in their carriage. Wildeve for her.
hides, not wanting to interact with Eustacia, though Venn
congratulates them. He also informs them that he needs to find
Thomasin to give her the money, and they point him in the right
direction. Unfortunately, Venn does not know that half of the
money belongs to Clym, so he does not give him any.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 1
July arrives. Eustacia and Clym are enjoying their marriage. Tension begins to build between Eustacia and Clym because Clym
However, as more time passes, Eustacia worries whether she has not followed through on his promises. Eustacia not only
will ever be able to escape to Budmouth, let alone Paris. expected to go to Budmouth, but she also hoped to go to Paris.
Meanwhile, Clym worries that starting his school will be more Meanwhile, because of a misunderstanding, Clym and his mother
difficult than he anticipated. At the same time, Mrs. Yeobright is have yet to reconcile.
upset that her son never thanked her for the money she sent
his way. She has already received a note from Thomasin
thanking her for the money and expects the same from Clym.
Mrs. Yeobright remains unaware that Christian gambled away
her money.
Mrs. Yeobright wonders whether Eustacia has something to do Misunderstandings build upon one another until conflict between
with the missing money. She decides to go see her, but before Eustacia and Mrs. Yeobright is worse than ever before. Notably, Mrs.
she can do so, Christian confesses to what he’s done. Mrs. Yeobright refuses to apologize to Eustacia, even when she realizes
Yeobright is angry with Christian and fires him, but then, that she is wrong. Though Eustacia is not perfect, she is
wondering what she will do without him, instantly rehires him. understandably offended by her mother-in-law’s actions, and it is
Mrs. Yeobright thinks that Wildeve and Eustacia might be hard to blame her for acting as she does. However, Eustacia’s
romantically involved with each other and that Wildeve gave actions place even more stress on Clym’s relationship with his
Eustacia the other half of the money, so she departs to confront mother.
Eustacia. Eventually, Mrs. Yeobright finds Eustacia and
confronts her. Eustacia is appalled at the accusation and
vehemently denies it. Mrs. Yeobright believes her but does not
apologize. Instead, the two women get into a screaming match,
and then Eustacia storms home, angry and upset.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 2
Eustacia returns home upset and tells Clym that she never One of Eustacia’s major character flaws is that she refuses to speak
wishes to speak to his mother again. She refuses to go into plainly to Clym. There are a number of key moments in the novel
more detail, leaving Clym in the dark about what all transpired. where Eustacia chooses silence over an explanation when an
Later in the day, Thomasin arrives with Clym’s half of the explanation could make things better. Perhaps her silence is in part
inheritance money. Apparently, Thomasin heard about the fight due to the fact that she has unresolved feelings for Wildeve, even if
between Eustacia and Mrs. Yeobright, though she doesn’t say she has not acted upon or consciously acknowledged them.
how. Thomasin tells Clym to be grateful that the money was
not lost. Clym responds that he would rather not have the
money if he could’ve avoided such an incident.
Knowing that Eustacia is unhappy, Clym studies extra hard so Clym and Eustacia’s plans have quickly fallen apart. Now that Clym
that they can move soon. However, he is quickly beset by can no longer offer Eustacia an escape from Egdon, it becomes
misfortunate. His constant studying has had a negative impact difficult to know if she still loves him. Certainly, a large part of
on his eyesight, and he starts to go blind. A doctor tells him Eustacia’s love for Clym is predicated on his ability to get her away
that it will be months before he can read again without putting from Egdon, something he no longer appears able to do. Also note
an undue strain on his eyes. This means that Clym and Eustacia that Clym’s diminished eyesight corresponds with Eustacia’s waning
will have to continue living in their small cabin, which horrifies interest in Clym; this helps establish Clym’s eyesight as a symbol for
Eustacia. Even when Clym is better, it doesn’t seem as though his (figurative) shortsightedness—he’s inability to see that Eustacia’s
he will be able to build a school anytime soon. love for him is (and perhaps always has been) conditional.
Because he cannot read, Clym decides to become a furze- A furze-cutter is someone who harvests furze, a plant used to feed
cutter. Clym enjoys the job and spends much of his time singing. livestock. Eustacia considers Clym’s new job to be low class and
Eustacia overhears one of Clym’s songs, at which point she cannot stand to think that her husband could ever find himself in
decides to confront him. Eustacia cannot believe that Clym can such a position. Certainly, Mrs. Yeobright would agree.
find pleasure in such work, which she feels is beneath him.
However, Clym thinks that she is overreacting and tells her so.
They need money, so why shouldn’t he do something he enjoys?
This does not satisfy Eustacia, who leaves in tears.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 3
Clym and Eustacia’s relationship takes a turn for the worse. Eustacia doesn’t feel as though she can live in Egdon any longer. At
Though Clym tries to comfort his wife, Eustacia cannot bear this point, Clym’s condition has shattered her fantasies of escape,
what has become of their future. Clym questions Eustacia and she wonders if she will be driven to insanity. She has wasted her
about whether she ever loved him. He thinks it likely that she life by failing to leave Egdon, and she has wasted Clym’s life by
was more interested in what he could do for her than anything marrying him.
else. Eustacia refuses to answer Clym’s questions directly, and
Clym departs. Eustacia, now alone, says aloud, “Two wasted
lives—his and mine. And I am come to this! Will it drive me out
of my mind?”
After the party, Wildeve and Eustacia walk home together. Both Eustacia and Wildeve act selfishly. While they attend a party,
Eustacia learns that Thomasin is going to have a baby, while their spouses are at home—one blind, one pregnant. Furthermore,
Wildeve learns of Clym’s blindness. On their way home, they know that they are acting inappropriately, which is why
Wildeve and Eustacia spot Venn coming down the path. Not Wildeve actively avoids Venn. However, as always, Venn is quick to
wanting to attract undue attention, Wildeve decides to go off in catch on to the truth, and he is also privy to Eustacia and Wildeve’s
a different direction. Although Venn cannot recognize Wildeve, former relationship.
he does notice a figure depart from Eustacia’s side. When he
meets Eustacia on the road, he assumes that the figure must
have been Wildeve. Venn is worried about Thomasin and goes
to Wildeve’s house. Wildeve isn’t not home, but Thomasin is, so
Venn asks her questions about her husband. However, he
doesn’t learn much and ultimately departs. Wildeve returns
home later on and becomes worried after Thomasin tells him
that Venn stopped by and asked about him.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 4
Venn resorts to drastic measures to keep Eustacia and Wildeve Venn is willing to do anything to keep Thomasin happy, even if it
apart. He spends much of the evening hours following Wildeve means spending his evenings threatening Wildeve. However, while
around and scaring him. Among other things, he fires a gun at Wildeve and Eustacia are not entirely innocent, they also are not as
Wildeve when he sees him heading in the direction of guilty as Venn thinks they are. As such, the information he gives
Eustacia’s house. Wildeve knows that Venn is responsible, Mrs. Yeobright is unfair to Eustacia and Wildeve, and it only makes
though he does not spot him. Feeling as though he’s scared matters worse between Mrs. Yeobright and Clym. Meanwhile, Clym
Wildeve off for the night, Venn pays Mrs. Yeobright a visit. is clearly devastated by his ruined relationship with his mother.
Venn tells Mrs. Yeobright about Clym’s condition, though she Both Mrs. Yeobright and Clym feel betrayed. While there is some
still won’t go see him. Venn warns her that Eustacia and validity to them feeling betrayed, their division comes from
Wildeve seem to have started a secret relationship, but Mrs. miscommunications and assumptions more than anything else.
Yeobright refuses to do anything about it. Meanwhile, Eustacia
and Clym are at their home discussing Clym’s relationship with
Mrs. Yeobright. Clym gets mad at Eustacia because she does
not seem to care about his relationship with his mother.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 5
On a sweltering day in August, Mrs. Yeobright decides that she Egdon Heath can be a dangerous place (particularly for an older
will pay Clym a visit. The walk to Clym and Eustacia’s place is woman), even in the daytime. In this case, the sweltering heat
long and hot, which is difficult for an older woman like Mrs. exhausts Mrs. Yeobright, and it is a testament to how much she
Yeobright. On her way to Clym’s house, she spots Clym out in wants to see her son that she pushes through her exhaustion. Like
the field, although she does not recognize him at first. She is Eustacia, Mrs. Yeobright cannot stomach the thought of her son
shocked to learn that he has become a furze-cutter. This new being a furze-cutter, but she does not want to ruin their relationship
revelation, along with the heat, makes Mrs. Yeobright stop and completely by telling him so.
sit down. She looks at her son’s new house and thinks about
how she will approach Clym and Eustacia after not seeing them
for so long.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 6
On the same day that Mrs. Yeobright goes to see Clym and Wildeve’s arrival at Clym and Eustacia’s home is a disaster waiting
Eustacia, Wildeve decides to do the same. Wildeve arrives to happen. Mrs. Yeobright already suspects that something
before Mrs. Yeobright and Eustacia lets him in. Wildeve and inappropriate is going on between Eustacia and her former suitor,
Eustacia talk as Clym takes a nap, exhausted from working in and arriving at Clym’s to find Eustacia and Wildeve together would
the hot sun. Wildeve only now realizes how low Eustacia’s vindicate her feelings.
fortunes have sunk, and he reminds her that she should have
married him instead. Eustacia doesn’t take kindly to this remark
and tells Wildeve that it is his fault that were not married.
Wildeve agrees and admits that he wishes they were still
together.
In the middle of their conversation, Eustacia and Wildeve hear Eustacia finds herself in a difficult position; though she hasn’t been
a knock at the door. Eustacia looks and sees that Mrs. unfaithful to Clym, she assumes Mrs. Yeobright will think the worst
Yeobright is standing outside. She debates whether to open the of her if she sees her with Wildeve. Eustacia’s decision to turn Mrs.
door with Wildeve present. She knows the Mrs. Yeobright will Yeobright away proves to be one of the most important moments in
assume the worst of her if she does. Eustacia notices Clym the entire novel, as the fallout of this moment sets up the story’s
waking up and knows that he will answer the door whether she climax.
likes it or not. Ultimately, Eustacia tells Wildeve to sneak out
the back, which he does. Eustacia goes outside with him,
assuming that Clym will answer the door. However, when she
returns inside, she finds Clym still asleep, and Mrs. Yeobright is
nowhere to be found.
Devasted, Mrs. Yeobright heads home. She saw Eustacia look Mrs. Yeobright is understandably devasted; she compromises her
at her through the window and thinks that she and Clym are core values to repair her relationship with her son, only for her son
refusing to let her in. On her way home, Mrs. Yeobright walks to turn her away—or so she thinks. Of course, Mrs. Yeobright does
alongside Johnny and tells him about everything that has not know the full story and so the information that she gives Johnny
transpired. Johnny brings Mrs. Yeobright some water, but she is incorrect. This misinformation is crucial for the plot moving
barely drinks any of it because it is warm. Afterward, Mrs. forward.
Yeobright dismisses him and sits alone in the grass. It is still
excruciatingly hot outside, and she is having a difficult time
breathing.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 7
Clym wakes up from a dream about his mother. He bemoans Eustacia doesn’t want Clym to see his mother because she knows
the fact that she still hasn’t come to see him. Not wanting to that Mrs. Yeobright will tell her son that Eustacia refused to let her
admit what she has done, Eustacia keeps quiet about the in. However, though Clym ignores Eustacia, he may be too late; Mrs.
events that transpired earlier in the day. Deciding that he Yeobright was already exhausted and dehydrated, and now she’s
cannot take it anymore, Clym decides to visit his mother. been bitten by a deadly snake. Additionally, because this is Egdon
Eustacia begs him not to go and even offers to go herself, but Heath and doctors are not readily available, all Clym can do is wait
Clym won’t listen. On his way to his mother’s house, Clym finds and hope someone will come soon.
her lying in the grass. Concerned, he carries her to the nearest
houses he can find, which happens to be where Sam, Fairway,
and Humphrey live. Sam quickly deduces that Mrs. Yeobright
was bitten by a snake. He tells Clym that until they get a doctor,
the best they can do is to rub the fat from other snakes on the
wound. They do so, but Mrs. Yeobright’s condition doesn’t
improve.
BOOK 4, CHAPTER 8
Eustacia worries about what will come out in the conversation Wildeve’s new fortune is important because it is yet another way
between Clym and Mrs. Yeobright. While Eustacia is at home that Eustacia can get out of Egdon Heath. She thinks that her
alone, Captain Vye shows up and tells her that Wildeve relationship with Clym is coming to an end, and she knows she
recently came into a large fortune. He also takes notice of her needs a backup plan. However, she also does not want to become
current living situation and tells her that she should’ve married the heartless adulterer that Mrs. Yeobright thinks she is.
Wildeve instead. Additionally, Captain Vye offers Eustacia
money, though she refuses to take anything from him. Eustacia
knows that Wildeve is still in love with her and wonders what
will become of that love now that he has his fortune. She goes
outside to walk and think over her present circumstances.
On her walk, Eustacia encounters Wildeve, although their Clearly, Wildeve does not care for Thomasin as much as he cares for
meeting doesn’t seem like much of a coincidence on Wildeve’s Eustacia. Though he does not ask Eustacia to join him on his travels,
part. Wildeve tells Eustacia about his fortune, which he didn’t he implies that it is a possibility, and he knowingly mentions Paris to
reveal earlier because he didn’t want to seem as though he was entice her. However, before Eustacia can even begin thinking about
bragging. Wildeve tells Eustacia that he plans to travel all such a possibility, she is met with the consequences of her earlier
around the world, including Paris, whether Thomasin actions: Mrs. Yeobright’s death.
accompanies him or not. While walking together, Wildeve and
Eustacia spot a light coming from nearby. They go to
investigate and find that a number of people, including a doctor,
are standing, and crying over the body of Mrs. Yeobright who
has just died. However, they remain out of sight to avoid
arousing suspicion. Eustacia overhears Johnny tell Clym that
his mother described herself as “a broken-hearted woman” who
was “cast off by her son.”
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 1
In the wake of Mrs. Yeobright’s death, Clym feels incredibly In the wake of his Mrs. Yeobright’s death, Clym’s obsession with his
guilty. Eustacia still hasn’t told him that Mrs. Yeobright came to mother only grows stronger. He feels extreme guilt about what
see him, and Clym holds himself responsible for his mother’s happened and Eustacia selfishly denies him the truth. However, like
death. A few weeks after Mrs. Yeobright’s death, Thomasin all important pieces of information in this novel, the truth has a way
pays her brother a visit and tells him that her baby will be born of surfacing—whether Eustacia wants it to or not. Meanwhile,
in two months. Clym acknowledges the news but is too Wildeve also continues his selfish streak by making sure that his
distracted by his own guilt and shame to care. He cannot name does not come up.
understand why his mother said what she did before her death.
While Clym and Thomasin are talking, Eustacia goes outside to
find Wildeve, who has come to get his wife. Wildeve advises
Eustacia to tell Clym the truth, but to omit that Wildeve was
present. Before their conversation can continue, Thomasin
shows up and departs with her husband.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 2
One evening, while Clym is still depressed, Christian arrives Christian’s information sets Clym on a path to find out the truth.
and provides him with a new piece of information. Mrs. Although Clym does not know it yet, it seems that learning the truth
Yeobright had forgiven her son and was on her way to see him about Mrs. Yeobright’s death will cost Clym his relationship with
on the morning of her death. Clym is confused; he now has two Eustacia.
pieces of contradictory evidence. Not long after, Venn stops by,
and Clym tell him that his mother is dead. The news shocks
Venn, though he seconds Christian’s opinion that Mrs.
Yeobright forgave Clym.
Realizing that something doesn’t add up, Clym decides to speak Because Eustacia does not speak up about what actually happened
to Johnny again. Johnny is Susan Nunsuch’s son, and she on the day of Mrs. Yeobright’s death, Clym is now left to assume the
assures Clym that Johnny is telling the truth. Nonetheless, worst.
Clym demands to speak with Johnny again. This time, Clym
finds out that by the time Johnny saw his mother, she was
already on her way back from Clym’s home. Johnny tells Clym
that he saw a man enter Clym’s house and then watched as
Eustacia turned Mrs. Yeobright away. This infuriates Clym, who
leaves to find Eustacia.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 3
Clym arrives home and begins yelling at Eustacia; he blames Once again, Eustacia refuses to adequately defend herself. Though
her for Mrs. Yeobright’s death and accuses her of having an Clym’s accusations are largely false, they are not unreasonable, and
affair. Eustacia denies his accusations but refuses to explain Eustacia does little to help case. Although Clym quickly realizes that
further. Eustacia eventually admits that she is partially some of his accusations go a step too far, he still wants
guilty—but not in the manner Clym thinks. Clym asks her to answers—which Eustacia repeatedly denies him. Additionally, in a
explain herself, and she refuses. Eventually, Eustacia admits twist of cruel irony, Thomasin names her child after Eustacia, just as
that she did not unlock the door immediately. However, she Eustacia and Clym’s marriage starts to crumble.
promises that that she would have done so had she realized
that Clym hadn’t answered it either. Still, she does not make
any mention of Wildeve. Upset by the whole situation, Eustacia
leaves to go back to her grandfather. Later in the day, Clym
learns that Thomasin’s given birth to a baby girl, whom she
names Baby Eustacia.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 4
Eustacia heads to her grandfather’s place, completely lost. All of Eustacia’s hopes and dreams have failed, and so she considers
When she arrives, she finds Charley, who is visibly concerned ending her own life. However, despite her poor treatment of him,
for her safety. However, she refuses to tell Charley what Charley is determined to make sure that nothing happens to
happened. Eustacia heads inside and sees her grandfather’s Eustacia. Even though Eustacia hates the heath, many of its
guns. She looks at them and contemplates suicide. Noticing residents are kind to her, with Charley being the primary example.
this, Charley takes them down from the wall and puts them
somewhere that Eustacia cannot find them. When Eustacia
asks him to fetch her the guns, he tells her, “I care too much for
you to give ‘em up.” Eustacia is angry at Charley for not allowing
her to end her own life, but she eventually calms down and tells
him that she is no longer suicidal.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 5
Guy Fawkes day arrives again, so Charley builds the Vyes a At this point, an entire year has passed since the start of the novel.
bonfire, hoping to cheer up Eustacia. Captain Vye thinks that This time, the bonfire, which previously gave Eustacia hope, is now a
this is a good idea, although it doesn’t work as intended. symbol of fear. Eustacia doesn’t want Wildeve to come to her, for
Eustacia does not feel up to doing anything and worries that fear that his presence will make matters worse. However, Wildeve
Wildeve will think she is signaling him. Indeed, Wildeve shows ultimately proves himself useful, and Eustacia once again has some
up and converses with Eustacia. Wildeve appears sympathetic hope that she can escape Egdon.
to Eustacia’s situation, and he offers to help her in any way he
can. Although Eustacia doesn’t want to ask too much of
Wildeve, she does ask him if he can help her get to Budmouth.
From there, she hopes to sail to Paris. Wildeve promises that
he will help Eustacia get to Budmouth.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 6
As Eustacia schemes to escape Egdon Heath once and for all, Throughout The Return of the Native, characters tend to spend
Clym attempts to sort out the truth. He doesn’t think that too much time deliberating and talking to anyone and everyone
Eustacia is guilty of all he accused her of, and he starts to feel except the person they should be talking to. Though Thomasin gives
ashamed of how he acted. He wants to make things right but Clym helpful advice, he should really be speaking to Eustacia—and
isn’t sure how, so he decides to visit Thomasin and ask her for his time to do so is quickly running out.
advice. Thomasin is surprised to learn what’s happened
between Eustacia and Clym. She tells Clym that he must fix
things right away and suggests writing Thomasin a letter. Clym
and Thomasin switch the topic of conversation to Thomasin’s
life. Thomasin complains that Wildeve is not present in her life.
Clym goes home and writes to Eustacia. His letter is partially an It is hard to imagine that Clym’s ambivalent letter will do much to
apology, though it is clear that he still places a significant cheer up Eustacia, though it is at least an attempt to save their
amount of blame on her for his mother’s death. Nonetheless, failing marriage. Meanwhile, it is clear that Wildeve has just
Clym promises to forgive her and tells her, “Our love must still returned from meeting with Eustacia, and he does a poor job of
continue.” Meanwhile, Wildeve arrives home, where Thomasin hiding it from Thomasin.
promptly questions him regarding his whereabouts. Wildeve
refuses to answer her questions, though, so Thomasin decides
to question him directly about Eustacia. Wildeve bristles at the
mention of Eustacia’s name and tells Thomasin that he doesn’t
want to talk about her.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 7
Eustacia decides once and for all that she is leaving Egdon Superstition is common among the residents of Egdon Heath, and
Heath. Before signaling to Wildeve that she is ready to depart, Susan is the most superstitious of all. The effigy Susan creates and
Eustacia takes a walk around the heath. While on her walk, burns suggests that she still believes Eustacia is a witch.
Susan spots her. Susan is angry at Eustacia because her son
Johnny is ill and thinks that it is all Eustacia’s fault. Susan
creates an effigy of Eustacia and then shoves needles through
it before burning it in the fire.
After Eustacia returns from her walk, she starts a bonfire to let Clym’s missed letter is yet another instance of failed
Wildeve know that she is on her way. Before she departs, communication in the novel. Additionally, the rapidly changing
Clym’s letter arrives. She doesn’t see it, though, because weather is an ominous sign. As Eustacia suggests here, it seems that
Captain Vye accepted it and assumed his granddaughter was her dreams of Paris simply are not meant to be, though she
asleep. Eustacia starts to make her way to Wildeve’s but begins continues to chase them anyway.
to have second thoughts. She doesn’t know if she can count on
Wildeve, and the weather is starting to get bad. In misery, she
cries out, “How I have tried and tried to be a splendid woman,
and how destiny has been against me! . . . I do not deserve my
lot!” Nonetheless, she continues to make her way to Wildeve’s.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 8
Clym waits and wonders if Eustacia will return. Before long, Thomasin immediately recognizes what her husband has done,
Thomasin arrives with her child and tells Clym that she thinks suggesting Wildeve is not as sly as he thinks. Additionally, yet
Eustacia has gone to meet Wildeve. Earlier, she heard Wildeve another major character has left the safety of his home to face the
take money out a chest in their bedroom, so she assumes that powerful weather of the heath.
he means to run off with Eustacia. Shortly afterward, Captain
Vye shows up and confirms that Eustacia is missing. Clym
leaves to go look for Eustacia.
Thomasin stays put at first, but then, against her better Even more characters end up in the bad weather, making disaster
judgement, decides to go looking for Eustacia and Wildeve. appear immanent. However, Venn has repeatedly proven himself to
Thomasin quickly gets lost, though she luckily comes across be the most resourceful character in the novel, so it is lucky for
Venn and lets him know what is going on. Venn is confused; he Thomasin that she finds him.
thought he heard a woman crying shortly before Thomasin
arrived. However, Thomasin assures him that the crying did not
come from her or her child. Together, Venn and Thomasin head
off into the storm in the direction of Thomasin’s house.
BOOK 5, CHAPTER 9
Wildeve spots Eustacia’s fire and prepares to take her to Unsurprisingly, Wildeve is planning to do almost exactly what
Budmouth. He thinks that the good deed he is doing for Thomasin feared he’d do. His willingness to help Eustacia is not a
Eustacia will allow him to make her his mistress while still purely selfless act; it is an attempt to fulfill a fantasy of his own.
keeping Thomasin as his wife. He sees no issue with this However, Eustacia’s scream signals that Wildeve’s plan will never
arrangement and thinks himself worthy of both women. On his come to fruition.
way to meet Eustacia, Wildeve comes across Clym. Nearby is a
pond, from which Wildeve and Clym hear Eustacia scream.
Both Clym and Wildeve jump into the water to try and save her.
Venn arrives shortly after and helps them.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 1
The story of Wildeve and Eustacia becomes well-known, even Although the last year of Thomasin’s life has not been easy, it seems
by those who did not know them. After Wildeve’s death, as though she will eventually recover. However, Clym remains
Thomasin learns that her husband had many debts, which she obsessed with the past and unable to pull himself away from what
uses his fortune to pay off. Additionally, she is forced to move happened. Meanwhile, it seems that Venn may finally be an
back to her aunt’s old home with Clym. Although she is appropriate match for Thomasin.
devasted by what happened, Thomasin is glad that she still has
Baby Eustacia to keep her company. Clym, however, is a shell of
himself and spends most of his time wandering between the
graves of his loved ones. Meanwhile, Venn gives up his
reddleman career and returns to dairy farming. This catches
Thomasin’s attention, and she and Venn strike up a romance.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 2
Thomasin discovers that her nurse borrowed one of her gloves Most deceptive actions carry a negative connotation in this novel.
and took it to a party. Thomasin saw Venn at this party, and he However, Venn’s glove ploy works perfectly because it is done with
told he was looking for the glove of a beautiful woman. As it genuine love and innocence rather than a selfish desire to
turns out, Venn knew the glove belonged to Thomasin, and manipulate Thomasin.
Thomasin realizes the whole situation is one big romantic
gesture. Thomasin goes and speaks to Venn about the glove
incident, and the two of them start to fall in love.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 3
Still lost in the world, Clym decides he will become a preacher. Clym considers marrying Thomasin out of obligation rather than
Additionally, he considers asking Thomasin to marry him. love. However, he quickly perceives the error of his ways and, for the
However, when he goes to discuss marriage with Thomasin, first time, the novel presents a happy union between two people
Thomasin reveals that she is already considering marrying who seem like they’ll stay together.
Venn. However, before she does so, she wants to ask Clym’s
permission. More specifically, she wants to know if Mrs.
Yeobright would’ve approved of her marrying Venn under such
circumstances. At first, Clym is not sure if the marriage is a
good idea, but he eventually changes says that it is appropriate
under the circumstances. Thrilled, Thomasin agrees to marry
Venn.
BOOK 6, CHAPTER 4
Thomasin and Venn’s wedding is a happy event for everyone Clym’s ending is ultimately tragic. Though he manages to become a
except Clym, who is too sad to attend. Instead, Clym spends his preacher, he cannot let go of the past or relinquish his own guilt.
day walking near the Vye property, where he spots Charley. Though his mother and Eustacia had flaws of their own, Clym
Charley is also still saddened by Eustacia’s death, and he asks cannot help but feel that their tragic fates were avoidable. However,
Clym if he can have something of hers to keep. In response, the novel is not without hope; Thomasin and Venn appear genuinely
Clym gives him a lock of Eustacia’s hair. At the end of the day, happy and baby Eustacia represents the new life that will populate
Thomasin comes to see Clym and tells him that she is off to the heath in the years to come.
start her new life with Venn. Eventually, Clym realizes his
dream of becoming a preacher, though he never manages to
get over the deaths of Eustacia and Mrs. Yeobright.
To cite any of the quotes from The Return of the Native covered in
HOW T
TO
O CITE the Quotes section of this LitChart:
To cite this LitChart: MLA
MLA Hardy, Thomas. The Return of the Native. Penguin Classics. 1999.
Sawyer, Ian. "The Return of the Native." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 28 CHICA
CHICAGO
GO MANU
MANUAL
AL
Nov 2022. Web. 28 Nov 2022.
Hardy, Thomas. The Return of the Native. London: Penguin
CHICA
CHICAGO
GO MANU
MANUAL
AL Classics. 1999.
Sawyer, Ian. "The Return of the Native." LitCharts LLC, November
28, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-return-of-the-native.