The Return of the Native: Book 2, Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Clym is away visiting a friend while the drama occurs between Thomasin’s suitors. However, he hears rumors about what has been going on and writes angrily to his mother about the situation. Although Thomasin is upset by her situation, she still insists on marrying Wildeve. She has just spoken to Wildeve, 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. Thomasin does her best to put on a happy face, though the circumstances of her marriage clearly upset her. She insists 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 Yeobrights that the wedding is over. He knows because he sat nearby and watched the whole thing. The wedding went smoothly this time, though oddly, Eustacia was in attendance. Venn doesn’t witness Eustacia’s interaction with Wildeve; 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.”