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Book 1, Chapter 8
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Return of the Native, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Humans vs. Nature
Modernity vs. Tradition
Class and Morality
Deception
Summary
Analysis
Reddlemen are becoming rare around the heath, though they used to be a more common sight. Because their red glow makes them stand out, children are afraid of them. It is a job that pays well, but the bodily changes that come along with it, relegate its practitioners to a low spot on the social hierarchy. It is especially strange that Venn chose this occupation, because he was born to a class which typically considers itself above such work.
Throughout the 19th century, many jobs that used to be common began to disappear as England became more modern and industrialized. This makes Venn a less common sight than he would’ve been 100 years prior, which only makes his odd appearance stand out more. Though Venn makes a good living as a reddleman, it is odd that he would choose to lower his social standing, especially in a society that is so rigorously structured according to class.
Themes
Still sitting in his wagon, Venn pulls out a note Thomasin wrote to him two years ago. In it, Thomasin rejects Venn’s marriage proposal, explaining that he is not high-class enough for her, even though he was a dairy farmer at the time. However, she does make it clear that she likes Venn, and her rejection is sent with love. After receiving Thomasin’s letter, Venn decided to become a reddleman. This morning is the first time Venn has seen Thomasin since she rejected him.
Thomasin’s rejection hurts Venn so much that he exiles himself from society. Reddlemen are essentially nomads who live apart from society and this is the only lifestyle Venn feels he can accept if he isn’t able to marry Thomasin. Class status does not matter to him if, no matter what, he can never rise high enough to marry the woman he loves.
Themes
Nonetheless, Venn is still protective of Thomasin, and he does what he can to help her. As such, Johnny’s information bothers him, and he makes it his duty to figure out what is going on between Eustacia and Wildeve. Despite his love for Thomasin, his goal is to make sure she marries Wildeve, because he thinks it will bring her the most happiness. In order to make this happen, Venn waits silently near Eustacia’s house over the next several nights, hoping to overhear one of her meetings with Wildeve.
Throughout the novel, Venn will act as a largely silent observer of the story’s other key players. He often operates by hiding in the shadows, only revealing himself when he thinks he may prove useful. Although Venn is perhaps a more morally upstanding figure than some of the other characters in the novel, he is not above spying and secrecy.
Themes
Sure enough, four nights after their first meeting, Wildeve comes again. Eustacia and Wildeve have a conversation that is not unlike their first. Wildeve insists that he is still interested in Eustacia but admits that he is in a tricky situation. Meanwhile, Eustacia continues to play with Wildeve’s emotions by sometimes suggesting that she still loves him and other times 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.
Eustacia and Wildeve’s conversations quickly become repetitive. Both play with the other’s emotions and neither is sure that they want to be with the other. However, their mutual hatred of Egdon binds them together, though it is not clear whether Wildeve can actually carry out the plan he suggests. Meanwhile, Venn proves to be quite the schemer himself.
Themes
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