# II: “The Sweet New Grass with Flowers.” explained — Greene Ferne Farm

> Chapter companion for Greene Ferne Farm by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Geoffrey Newton wanders in a daydream through the spring meadows, lost in thoughts of Margaret Estcourt and the eternal youth of nature. He encounters Margaret in a copse, and they are soon joined by May Fisher, Valentine Browne, Rev. Felix St. Bees, and Augustus Basset. After lunch at the farm, Geoffrey and Valentine leave separately. Valentine stops at the Spotted Cow inn, where he speaks with Ruck and Hedges about hay and oats. The farmers and other locals, including the aged Gaffer Pistol, gather at the inn, discussing farming, a crooked nail, a famous gun, and the value of ale and lardy-cake.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Pastoral Ideal

The chapter opens with a vivid description of spring meadows, lambs, and the eternal youth of nature, contrasting with human concerns. Geoffrey's daydream is immersed in the natural world.

### Love and Romance

Geoffrey's love for Margaret dominates his thoughts, and their accidental meeting in the copse is charged with romantic tension. Valentine's jealousy also highlights romantic rivalry.

### Community and Tradition

The gathering at the Spotted Cow, with farmers and labourers sharing ale, gossip, and memories, illustrates the close-knit rural community and its traditions.

## Character check-ins

### Geoffrey Newton

Wanders in a daydream through the meadow, lost in thoughts of Margaret and the eternal youth of nature. Meets Margaret in the copse and later leaves the farm with Valentine.

### Margaret Estcourt

Found by Geoffrey in a copse, blushing and confused after being surprised while dreaming of him. Leads the way back to the farm.

### Val Browne

Accompanies May Fisher and the others to find Margaret. Shows jealousy towards Geoffrey and later stops at the Spotted Cow to inquire about hay and oats from Ruck.

### Rev. Felix St. Bees

Old friend of Geoffrey, in love with May Fisher. Walks in the rear with Geoffrey after the group meets.

### Augustus Basset

A shambling, half-drunk hanger-on who begs a cigar from Geoffrey and grumbles about a potential strike of mowers.

### Gaffer Pistol

Aged man with bent legs, known as Pistol-legs, who joins the group at the Spotted Cow. Recalls the new waterwheel at Fisher's mill and declares the finest thing is 'a horn o' ale and a lardy-cake.'

## Key lines

> For how many thousand years have the lambs been happy in the spring-tide? ... Nature is always young. Earth was never younger than she is today.

Geoffrey reflects that despite the passage of millennia, nature remains perpetually youthful and vibrant.

_Highlights the theme of nature's eternal renewal._

> When a thoughtful man feels an overpowering love—a great passion rising within him—his ideal often becomes a kind of judge.

A man in love reexamines his beliefs and values in the light of his passion.

_Explores the introspective effect of love on Geoffrey._

> The vinest theng of all be a horn o' ale and a lardy-cake!

The best thing in life is a drink of ale and a lardy-cake.

_Gaffer Pistol's simple philosophy reflects the rustic wisdom of the community._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se/chapters/ii-the-sweet-new-grass-with-flowers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se/chapters