Lorna Doone · Chapter
A Motion Which Ends in a Mull explained
Uncle Reuben Huckaback, still furious over his robbery, demands action against the Doones.
What happens
Uncle Reuben Huckaback, still furious over his robbery, demands action against the Doones. The Ridd family and Farmer Nicholas Snowe try to calm him, but he insults the parish and John Ridd. After mulled wine and conversation, the expedition against the Doones is abandoned, and the household settles back into comfort.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
Mistress Ridd defends her children and John against Uncle Reuben's insults, showing strong family bonds.
Honor and Reputation
Uncle Reuben's demand for punishment of the Doones and his insults to the parish highlight concerns over honor and reputation.
Social Class and Inequality
Uncle Reuben's wealth and town-bred ways create tension with the rural Exmoor folk, reflecting class differences.
Characters to notice
- Uncle Reuben Huckaback
Furious over his robbery, he demands punishment for the Doones and insults the parish and John Ridd before eventually calming down.
- John Ridd
John responds calmly to Uncle Reuben's insults, offering to grease his boots, which later earns him a legacy.
- Mistress Ridd
Defends her children and John against Uncle Reuben's harsh words, then tries to mediate the dispute.
- Nicholas Snowe
Calls Uncle Reuben a liar for insulting the parish, but later earns his respect through quiet demeanor.
- Annie Ridd
Shy and diffident, she is present with the other maidens and later brings Uncle Reuben mulled wine.
- Lorna Doone
Not directly present in the chapter, but the Doones are the subject of the failed expedition.
Key passages
“Nephew Jack, you are a heavy lout, sir; a bumpkin, a clodhopper; and I shall leave you nothing, unless it be my boots to grease.”
Uncle Reuben insults John by calling him a clumsy country bumpkin and threatens to leave him nothing but his boots to polish.
John's calm reply later earns him a legacy of two thousand pounds.
“Pack of cowards! much chance I see of getting redress from the valour of this Exmoor!”
Uncle Reuben accuses the Exmoor people of cowardice, doubting they will help him get justice.
This outburst reflects the tension between Uncle Reuben and the local community.