# Self-Denial and Its Reward explained — Driven Back to Eden

> Chapter companion for Driven Back to Eden by Edward Payson Roe.

## What happens

The family wakes to John Jones's help moving their belongings. Merton faces a moral choice between hunting rabbits and helping his father, ultimately choosing duty over pleasure. His self-denial is rewarded with apples and a successful rabbit hunt later.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Education and Discipline

Merton learns to prioritize duty over pleasure, and Mr. Jones uses the threat of a strapping to teach Junior obedience.

### Community and Neighborliness

John Jones and neighbor Rollins help the family move, demonstrating the supportive rural community.

### Self-Reliance and Hard Work

The family works together to get settled, and Merton's choice to help his father reflects the value of hard work.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The father who guides Merton's moral choice and oversees the moving process.

### Merton

Struggles with temptation to hunt, ultimately chooses to help his father, and is rewarded with apples and a successful rabbit hunt.

### Mr. Jones

Arranges the move, tests his son Junior's obedience, and joins the rabbit hunt.

### John Jones

John junior; helps with breakfast, guides Merton in hunting, and faces a choice between hunting and a strapping.

### Bobsey

Excited by the new surroundings, is warned to obey or be tied to a chair.

## Key lines

> Every wink you’ve had after such a day as yesterday is like money put in the bank.

Sleep after a hard day is as valuable as saving money.

_John Jones emphasizes the restorative value of rest._

> It is rarely best to put pleasure before business or prudence.

Pleasure should not come before work or good judgment.

_The father teaches Merton a lesson in priorities._

> If you had said I couldn’t go, I wouldn’t; but if it’s choosin’ between shootin’ rabbits and a strappin’ afterward—come along, Merton.

If you had forbidden me, I would obey, but given a choice between hunting and a beating, I choose hunting.

_Junior tests the limits of his father's authority._

> Oh, hang the rabbits! You shan’t have any strapping on my account.

Forget the rabbits; I won't let you be punished because of me.

_Merton chooses friendship and duty over his own desire._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/driven_back_to_eden_se/chapters/xiv-self-denial-and-its-reward
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/driven_back_to_eden_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/driven_back_to_eden_se/chapters