Lorna Doone · Chapter
Home Again at Last explained
John Ridd returns home to Exmoor after walking from London, stopping at Dunster where his mother's cousin, the tanner, provides him with a horse.
What happens
John Ridd returns home to Exmoor after walking from London, stopping at Dunster where his mother's cousin, the tanner, provides him with a horse. He reflects on his journey and the warmth of his family, especially his sister Annie, who eagerly awaits him. The chapter emphasizes his deep emotional connection to home and his family's mixed feelings about his lack of promotion.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
John's return emphasizes the deep bonds of family, with Annie's patient waiting, his mother's emotional embrace, and the collective joy of the household.
Nature and the Rural World
The description of the Exmoor landscape, sheep, pools, and cornfields underscores John's connection to the rural environment and his sense of belonging.
Characters to notice
- John Ridd
Returns home after walking from London, footsore and weary, but filled with joy at seeing his family and the familiar landscape.
- Annie Ridd
Waits for John every Saturday night, greets him with tears and kisses, and rides behind him on his horse.
- Mistress Ridd
Overjoyed to see John, holds him tight, cries, and thanks God, though she later scolds Mrs. Fry for attributing his return to the Lord.
- Annie Ridd (younger)
Also called little Eliza; she is unsettled by John's story and later kisses him after receiving a gift.
- Jeremy Stickles
Mentioned as having paid for horse-hire on the journey to London, contrasting with John's walking return.
- Smiler
The old horse that recognizes John and Annie, gallops home to announce their arrival.
Key passages
“I shouted out, 'Jem, boy!'—for that was his name, and a rare hand he was at fighting—and he knew me in spite of the stranger horse; and I leaned over and stroked his head, and swore he should never be mutton.”
John recognizes a sheep named Jem, marked with his initials, and affectionately promises it will never be slaughtered.
Highlights John's emotional connection to his home and its animals.
“She nearly pulled me off my horse, and kissed the very mouth of the carbine.”
Annie eagerly greets John, almost pulling him off his horse and kissing his gun.
Shows Annie's overwhelming joy at John's return.