Lorna Doone · Chapter
IX: There Is No Place Like Home explained
John Ridd recounts his harrowing escape from the Doone Valley, his subsequent fear and reluctance to venture out alone, and his growing obsession with practicing marksmanship.
What happens
John Ridd recounts his harrowing escape from the Doone Valley, his subsequent fear and reluctance to venture out alone, and his growing obsession with practicing marksmanship. He reflects on his sister Annie's gentle nature and his own boyish disdain for girls, contrasting her with the memory of Lorna Doone. The chapter also depicts his return home, where he keeps his adventure secret, and his determination to master the gun.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Rural World
John's escape through the Bagworthy forest and the description of the farm life, including sheepshearing, haymaking, and cider-pressing, emphasize the rural setting.
Family and Loyalty
John's return home to his mother and sisters, and his bond with Annie, highlight family ties and loyalty.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Narrates his escape from Doone Valley, his fear, and his resolve to practice shooting.
- Annie Ridd
Described as gentle, pleasing, and caring; John contrasts her with Lorna Doone.
- Lorna Doone
Mentioned as the fair young maid who helped John; John compares her beauty to Annie's.
- John Fry
John's companion on the farm; John confides in him (except about Lorna) and keeps him to praise his shooting.
- Betty Muxworthy
Scolds and cooks at the farm; tries to pry into John's adventure.
- Lizzie Ridd
Mentioned as being eager and curious about John's whereabouts.
Key passages
“The fright I had taken that night in Glen Doone satisfied me for a long time thereafter; and I took good care not to venture even in the fields and woods of the outer farm, without John Fry for company.”
The terror I experienced that night in Glen Doone kept me cautious for a long time; I made sure not to go into the fields or woods of the outer farm without John Fry by my side.
John's fear after escaping the Doone Valley leads him to seek constant companionship.
“Annie was of a pleasing face, and very gentle manner, almost like a lady some people said; but without any airs whatever, only trying to give satisfaction.”
Annie had a pleasant face and a gentle demeanor, almost like a lady, as some said, but she was not at all pretentious, simply striving to please others.
Description of Annie Ridd's character and demeanor.
“I kept John Fry there, to praise my shots, from dinnertime often until the grey dusk, while he all the time should have been at work spring-ploughing upon the farm.”
I often kept John Fry there to compliment my shooting from dinnertime until dusk, even though he should have been spring-ploughing on the farm.
John's dedication to practicing shooting, even at the expense of farm work.