Lorna Doone · Chapter
LXI: Therefore He Seeks Comfort explained
John Ridd, after a tense visit with Tom Faggus and Annie, seeks comfort by visiting Dulverton.
What happens
John Ridd, after a tense visit with Tom Faggus and Annie, seeks comfort by visiting Dulverton. There he encounters his cousin Ruth Huckaback, who is injured when his horse Kickums bites her. John rescues her and takes her to her grandfather's house. He later confides in Ruth about his troubles with Lorna, and she advises him to pursue her. John returns home to find his family worried about him.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
John's deep love for Lorna and his willingness to follow Ruth's advice to pursue her despite obstacles.
Family and Loyalty
John's concern for Annie's happiness and his protective actions toward Ruth Huckaback.
Nature and the Rural World
Descriptions of the harvest, the landscape, and rural life in Dulverton.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Narrator and protagonist; visits Dulverton and rescues Ruth Huckaback from his horse Kickums.
- Ruth Huckaback
Cousin of John Ridd; bitten by Kickums and rescued by John; later advises John about Lorna.
- Annie Ridd
John's sister; married to Tom Faggus; John left her house abruptly after speaking harshly to Tom.
- Tom Faggus
Annie's husband; John spoke harshly to him about his behavior.
- Uncle Reuben Huckaback
Ruth's grandfather; initially sulky with John but becomes gracious after learning John saved Ruth.
- Lorna Doone
John's beloved; he confides in Ruth about his despair over Lorna's departure.
Key passages
“It was for poor Annie’s sake that I had spoken my mind to her husband so freely, and even harshly.”
John explains that he spoke bluntly to Tom Faggus out of concern for Annie's happiness.
John's motivation for confronting Tom.
“Pretty Ruth was in the main street of the town, with a basket in her hand, going home from the market.”
John sees Ruth Huckaback walking home from the market in Dulverton.
Introduction of Ruth in the chapter.
“I told Ruth all about our Annie, and her noble furniture; and the little maid was very lively (although her wounds were paining her so...).”
John shares details about Annie's new furniture with Ruth, who laughs despite her pain.
John's attempt to cheer Ruth.
“My advice to you,” she answered bravely, with her dark eyes full of pride, and instead of flinching, foiling me—“is to do what every man must do, if he would win fair maiden.”
Ruth advises John to actively pursue Lorna rather than give up.
Ruth's counsel to John.