# Mutual Discomfiture explained — Lorna Doone

> Chapter companion for Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore.

## What happens

John Ridd reflects on his slow-witted reputation and his growing belief that Lorna is the child of the ill-fated lady in the coach. Jeremy Stickles reveals his discovery of Lorna's parentage but insists on secrecy. The chapter then describes the failed military assault on the Doone stronghold, marred by jealousy between the Devon and Somerset forces, leading to a disastrous defeat.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Inequality

John's fear that Lorna's noble birth may prevent their marriage highlights class barriers.

### Family and Loyalty

John's loyalty to Lorna and his family is tested by the secrecy of her origins and the failed attack.

### Justice and Revenge

The assault on the Doone stronghold is an attempt to bring justice, but internal rivalries undermine it.

## Character check-ins

### John Ridd

Narrator; reflects on his character and deduces Lorna's origins; participates in the attack on the Doone stronghold.

### Jeremy Stickles

King's Commissioner; reveals discovery of Lorna's parentage and insists on secrecy; leads the assault.

### Lorna Doone

Implied as the child of the lady in the coach; John's beloved, not directly present.

### Carver Doone

Implied as one of the outlaws; not directly mentioned but part of the Doone clan.

### Parson Bowden

Blamed for the failure of the attack due to his manner of going up the hill.

## Key lines

> It must not be supposed that I was altogether so thickheaded as Jeremy would have made me out. But it is part of my character that I like other people to think me slow, and to labour hard to enlighten me, while all the time I can say to myself, 'This man is shallower than I am; it is pleasant to see his shoals come up while he is sounding mine so!'

John Ridd admits he often pretends to be slower than he is, enjoying the irony of others underestimating him.

_Reveals John's self-awareness and strategic humility._

> Jeremy Stickles was quite decided—and of course the discovery being his, he had a right to be so—that not a word of all these things must be imparted to Lorna herself, or even to my mother, or anyone whatever.

Jeremy insists on keeping the secret of Lorna's parentage from everyone, including Lorna and John's mother.

_Highlights the tension between loyalty and secrecy._

> Now, this enterprise having failed so, I prefer not to dwell too long upon it; only just to show the mischief which lay at the root of the failure. And this mischief was the vile jealousy betwixt red and yellow uniform.

John attributes the failure of the attack to the rivalry between the Devon (red) and Somerset (yellow) troops.

_Critiques the destructive nature of petty rivalries._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/liv-mutual-discomfiture
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters