XLVIII: Every Man Must Defend Himself explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Justice and Revenge

  John Ridd vows to kill Carver Doone for threatening Lorna, seeking personal justice.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Lorna offers to return to Glen Doone to protect the Ridds, showing her selflessness.

• Family and Loyalty

  The Ridd family and their allies prepare to defend their home together against the Doones.

Characters to notice

• John Ridd

  John prepares to defend his home and confront Carver Doone, but falls asleep in the rick yard from exhaustion.

• Lorna Doone

  Lorna is terrorized by Carver Doone, who threatens her life; she later asks to return to Glen Doone.

• Carver Doone

  Carver Doone spies on Lorna, threatens her with a gun, and warns her to return or face death.

• Jeremy Stickles

  Jeremy Stickles returns from his journey without an army due to county disputes and bad weather.

• Mistress Ridd

  Mother Ridd comforts Lorna after her encounter with Carver Doone.

• Tom Faggus

  John regrets letting Tom Faggus go, as his wit and courage would have been valuable.

Key passages

• “Now it was my great desire, and my chiefest hope, to come across Carver Doone that night, and settle the score between us; not by any shot in the dark, but by a conflict man to man.”

  John Ridd's main wish was to face Carver Doone in a fair fight that night.

  John's desire for a direct confrontation with Carver.

• “I have spared you this time, only because it suits my plans; and I never yield to temper. But unless you come back tomorrow, pure, and with all you took away, and teach me to destroy that fool, who has destroyed himself for you, your death is here, your death is here, where it has long been waiting.”

  Carver Doone threatens Lorna, telling her he spared her for now but will kill her if she doesn't return.

  Carver's ultimatum to Lorna.