Lorna Doone · Chapter
XLI: Cold Comfort explained
John Ridd reflects on the death of Sir Ensor Doone, who dies peacefully with John and Lorna at his bedside.
What happens
John Ridd reflects on the death of Sir Ensor Doone, who dies peacefully with John and Lorna at his bedside. Despite his past evils, Sir Ensor is mourned by many, though not by his own kin. After the funeral, a severe frost and snowstorm strike Exmoor, forcing John and his men to dig out the sheep. Meanwhile, Annie Ridd cares for frozen birds, showing her compassion.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
John Ridd's presence at Sir Ensor's deathbed and Lorna's hope for a blessing contrast with the Doones' neglect, exploring loyalty beyond blood ties.
Nature and the Rural World
The severe frost and snowstorm dominate the chapter, affecting both wildlife and farming, emphasizing the rural community's struggle against nature.
Honor and Reputation
Sir Ensor's death elicits public admiration despite his evil deeds, reflecting on how honor and reputation can outlast a person's actions.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Narrates the chapter; stays with Sir Ensor on his deathbed, then leads efforts to save sheep in the snowstorm.
- Lorna Doone
Present at Sir Ensor's deathbed, hoping for his blessing.
- Sir Ensor Doone
Dies in this chapter; his death is described with dignity and regret.
- Annie Ridd
Cares for frozen birds during the frost, showing her gentle nature.
- John Fry
Reluctantly joins John Ridd to dig out the sheep in the snowstorm.
- Carver Doone
Mentions that he and the Counsellor are busy securing the succession, absent from Sir Ensor's deathbed.
Key passages
“All things being full of flaw, all things being full of holes, the strength of all things is in shortness.”
Everything is imperfect and flawed, so the best quality is brevity.
John reflects on the nature of life and death, introducing the chapter's tone.
“If Sir Ensor Doone had dwelled for half an hour upon himself, and an hour perhaps upon Lorna and me, we must both have wearied of him, and required change of air.”
If Sir Ensor had talked about himself for long, or about Lorna and me, we would have grown tired and needed a break.
John comments on Sir Ensor's self-absorption and the relief of his brevity.
“Evil he had done, no doubt, as evil had been done to him; yet how many have done evil, while receiving only good!”
He certainly did wrong, but he was also wronged; many people do harm despite being treated well.
John ponders the cycle of evil and the unfairness of human behavior.
“Not a tear was shed upon him, except from the sweetest of all sweet eyes; not a sigh pursued him home.”
No one cried for him except Lorna, and no one mourned his passing.
Describes the lack of genuine grief for Sir Ensor's death.
“And all the time their great black eyes, set with gold around them, seemed to look at any man, for mercy and for comfort.”
The birds' eyes, with golden rings, appeared to beg humans for mercy and comfort.
John describes the pitiful state of the frozen birds during the frost.
