# Dawn explained — Greene Ferne Farm

> Chapter companion for Greene Ferne Farm by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

At dawn, Geoffrey and Margaret find their lost shepherd Jabez, who claims the 'Old One' led him astray. They return to Warren House, where Geoffrey fetches a cart for the injured shepherd. The chapter also includes Geoffrey's reflective vigil outside the ancient cave where Margaret slept, as he contemplates love, time, and mortality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Time and Mortality

Geoffrey's reverie about ancient hills, the star, and the fleeting nature of love and life underscores the theme of time and mortality.

### Nature and the Pastoral Ideal

The dawn landscape, the downs, the cave, and the shepherd's life evoke the pastoral ideal and humanity's connection to nature.

## Character check-ins

### Geoffrey Newton

Awakens at dawn, tends to Margaret's safety, fetches a cart for Jabez, and reflects on love and the past.

### Margaret Estcourt

Sleeps in the ancient cave; later rides with Geoffrey to find Jabez and returns to Warren House.

### Jabez

Found lost on the downs with a sprained ankle; claims the 'Old One' led him astray; rescued by Geoffrey.

### Jenny

A stout woman at Warren House who helps Geoffrey with the horses and cart.

## Key lines

> He be as hardy as a woodpile toad!

He is extremely tough and resilient.

_Jenny describes the aged Mr. Fisher's hardiness using a rustic simile._

> it wur the Ould Un hisself, it wur. He led I by th’ nause round and round

It was the Devil himself who led me around in circles by the nose.

_Jabez attributes his getting lost to supernatural mischief._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se/chapters/vii-dawn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se/chapters