Lorna Doone · Chapter
Compelled to Volunteer explained
John Ridd returns from London to find his community rallying against the Doones after a series of outrages, including the murder of a child.
What happens
John Ridd returns from London to find his community rallying against the Doones after a series of outrages, including the murder of a child. Despite the Doones having spared his family during his absence, John is pressured to lead an expedition against them. He agrees on condition that the Doones first refuse a fair demand to surrender the culprits. A clever stratagem is devised—using Simon Carfax to lure a score of Doones into an ambush by promising them a gold convoy—while the main force prepares to assault the valley.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Revenge
The community's desire for retribution against the Doones for murder and outrage, culminating in John Ridd's reluctant leadership.
Family and Loyalty
John Ridd's hesitation to attack the Doones because they spared his family during his absence, and his eventual commitment to protect his neighbors.
Honor and Reputation
John Ridd's sense of honor compels him to offer the Doones a fair challenge before resorting to force, and the community's pressure on him to lead.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Returns from London and is compelled by the community to lead an expedition against the Doones, despite their having spared his farm.
- Tom Faggus
Credited with devising the stratagem to lure the Doones into an ambush using a false gold convoy.
- Uncle Reuben Huckaback
Brings a band of warehousemen from Dulverton and promises miners to aid the assault, motivated by past grievances.
- Simon Carfax
Father of Gwenny, recruited to play the deceitful role of betraying the gold convoy to the Doones.
- Gwenny Carfax
Mentioned as the daughter of Simon Carfax.
- Major Wade
A fugitive from Monmouth's army who was sheltered locally and later captured, contributing to the community's tension.
- Peggy Badcock
Mistress Margery Badcock, whose wrongs (the murder of her babe) help galvanize John Ridd to act.
- Jeremy Stickles
Referenced as Commander Stickles in the context of a previous attack on the Doones.
Key passages
“It cost us some trouble and a great deal of money to bring the sturdy Cornishman into this deceitful part; and perhaps he never would have consented but for his obligation to me, and the wrongs (as he said) of his daughter.”
We had to expend much effort and expense to persuade the resolute Cornishman to participate in this deception; he likely agreed only because he felt indebted to me and because of the injustices done to his daughter.
Describes the recruitment of Simon Carfax for the ambush plot.
“All they said was 'Try to lead us; and we will try not to run away.'”
The men simply urged me to take command, promising to do their best to stand firm.
Reflects the community's trust in John Ridd and their determination.
“I agreed at last to this; that if the Doones, upon fair challenge, would not endeavour to make amends by giving up Mistress Margery, as well as the man who had slain the babe, then I would lead the expedition, and do my best to subdue them.”
I finally consented on the condition that if the Doones refused a reasonable demand to surrender Margery and the murderer, I would then lead the attack and strive to defeat them.
John Ridd's conditional agreement to lead the expedition.
