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Book 2, Chapter 1
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
Although she is still feeling down about her disastrous love life, Thomasin agrees to help Mrs. Yeobright prepare for Clym’s arrival. Together, they clean and pick apples while discussing the ongoing situation. Thomasin is upset because she feels as though people are judging her unfairly. However, Mrs. Yeobright doesn’t feel bad for Thomasin because she warned her not to get herself into such a situation. Still, both of them think it is best that Thomasin goes forward with the marriage. 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.
Mrs. Yeobright acts rather cruelly to her niece, maintaining an “I told you so” attitude. Meanwhile, Thomasin is miserable and embarrassed, and Clym’s arrival only makes things worse. At one point, the community thought that Thomasin and Clym would marry, and so Thomasin is nervous for Clym to find out that not only does she plan to marry someone else, but she has also tarnished the family’s name as a result. Additionally, the marriage still has not occurred and it is not clear if it ever will.
Themes
Literary Devices
