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Book 3, Chapter 5
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
Clym leaves Blooms End, wishing Mrs. Yeobright farewell. He tells her that he hopes that she comes to see him soon, but she says she probably won’t—Clym is planning to marry Eustacia soon, and Mrs. Yeobright still disapproves. After Clym leaves, Thomasin arrives and asks her aunt some questions about 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.
A number of issues arise in this novel because characters refuse to interact with one another directly. Instead, they act passive aggressively or turn to an outside source for help. This is the case with Thomasin in this passage, and it results in a chain reaction of anger and misunderstandings.
Themes
Although it doesn’t solve the larger issue of Wildeve’s treatment of Thomasin, Mrs. Yeobright offers Thomasin her inheritance. Thomasin accepts, and Mrs. Yeobright promises to send it over soon. The conversation then turns to Clym’s marriage. Thomasin tells Mrs. Yeobright that she is being too harsh on her son. Thomasin also reassures her that Clym still loves her; she just needs to talk to him. However, Mrs. Yeobright is stubborn and says she will not do so. Meanwhile, Wildeve learns that Eustacia is engaged, and he discovers that he still has feelings for her after all.
Although Thomasin does not do a good job of advocating for herself, it does seem to be the case that Wildeve is not a good husband. Eustacia’s engagement to Clym has reignited his jealousy, and more problems are sure to follow.
Themes
