Lorna Doone · Chapter
An Important Item explained
John Ridd recounts the events leading to his leaving Tiverton School, beginning on his twelfth birthday, November 29, 1673.
What happens
John Ridd recounts the events leading to his leaving Tiverton School, beginning on his twelfth birthday, November 29, 1673. After a day of distributing sweets, he and other boarders drive the day-boys out, then wait at the gate hoping to see a packhorse convoy pursued by his cousin Tom Faggus. A quarrel with Robin Snell leads to a challenge to fight on the 'Ironing-box.' John Fry arrives with a message from home, but the fight proceeds anyway. John reflects on his many school battles and the honor of the Ridd family.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
John feels a duty to maintain the manliness of the Ridd family and the honor of Exmoor by accepting the fight with Robin Snell, despite his reluctance.
Family and Loyalty
John Fry's arrival with a message from home and his encouragement of John to fight underscore the bonds of family loyalty; John also thinks of his mother's handiwork in his jerkin.
Social Class and Inequality
The division between boarders and day-boys ('caddes') is based on payment for schooling, highlighting class distinctions among the students.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Narrator and protagonist; turns twelve years old on the day of the chapter; recounts his school fight with Robin Snell and the arrival of John Fry.
- Tom Faggus
John's first cousin, a renowned highwayman from Northmolton; mentioned as being in pursuit of packmen.
- John Fry
Family servant who arrives at the school gate with a message and horses; encourages John to fight and observes the bout.
- Robin Snell
Schoolboy opponent; larger than John; later becomes mayor of Exeter; challenges John to a fight.
- Thomas Hooper
Schoolboy who takes care of John's jerkin and waistcoat before the fight.
- Winnie
John's sorrel pony, mentioned as being lighter and not as muddy as Smiler.
- Smiler
A sledder horse brought by John Fry; heavily muddied from the journey.
- Old Cop
Gatekeeper at Tiverton School; described as churlish to little boys.
Key passages
“On the 29th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1673, the very day when I was twelve years old, and had spent all my substance in sweetmeats, with which I made treat to the little boys, till the large boys ran in and took them, we came out of school at five o'clock, as the rule is upon Tuesdays.”
On my twelfth birthday, November 29, 1673, after spending all my money on sweets that the older boys stole, we left school at five as usual on Tuesdays.
Sets the date and context of John's birthday and the school routine.
“For it had long been fixed among us, who were of the house and chambers, that these same day-boys were all 'caddes,' as we had discovered to call it, because they paid no groat for their schooling, and brought their own commons with them.”
We boarders considered the day-boys inferior because they didn't pay tuition and brought their own food.
Illustrates the social hierarchy among the schoolboys.
“I had never told my mother a word about these frequent strivings, because she was softhearted; neither had I told my father, because he had not seen it.”
I kept my many fights secret from my mother, who was tender-hearted, and from my father, who was unaware.
Reveals John's protective attitude toward his parents.
