# A Troubled State and a Foolish Joke explained — Lorna Doone > Chapter companion for Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore. ## What happens Jeremy Stickles reveals his plan to attack the Doones, but John Ridd refuses to participate due to his love for Lorna and his moral qualms. Stickles also discusses the political unrest in England, the threat of rebellion, and the King's efforts to suppress dissent. Meanwhile, John Fry recounts a comical and exaggerated story about a gathering of local gentry and militia waiting to capture the highwayman Tom Faggus, which causes Annie to faint. ## Themes in this chapter ### Justice and Revenge John Ridd refuses to participate in the attack on the Doones, choosing not to take revenge in cold blood for his father's murder, and instead leaves vengeance to God. ### Love and Sacrifice John's refusal to join the attack is motivated by his love for Lorna and his fear for her safety during the assault. ### Honor and Reputation John insists on acting according to his conscience and honor, even when pressured by Stickles, and refuses to be drawn into a plan that would compromise his principles. ## Character check-ins ### John Ridd John refuses to join Stickles' attack on the Doones, citing his love for Lorna and his unwillingness to take revenge in cold blood. ### Jeremy Stickles Stickles reveals his plan to assault Doone Valley and discusses the political situation, including the threat of rebellion and the King's strategy. ### Annie Ridd Annie faints upon hearing John Fry's story about the plot to shoot Tom Faggus. ### John Fry John Fry tells a lengthy, dramatic tale about a gathering of armed men waiting to ambush Tom Faggus, embellishing his own role. ### Tom Faggus Tom Faggus is the target of an ambush planned by local squires and militia, as recounted by John Fry. ### Uncle Reuben Huckaback Stickles mentions that Uncle Reuben will be forced to lead the assault on Doone Castle due to his past boasts. ## Key lines > I will have naught to do with it. The reason why is no odds of thine, nor in any way disloyal. Only in thy plans remember that I will not strike a blow, neither give any counsel, neither guard any prisoners. John Ridd firmly tells Jeremy Stickles that he will not participate in the attack on the Doones, offering no explanation and refusing to fight, advise, or guard captives. _John's refusal is driven by his love for Lorna and his moral stance against cold-blooded revenge._ > Not a single blow, Jeremy; unless I knew the man who did it, and he gloried in his sin. It was a foul and dastard deed, yet not done in cold blood; neither in cold blood will I take God's task of avenging it. John explains that he will only strike if he knows the specific murderer and if that man boasts of the crime, but otherwise he leaves vengeance to God. _John's sense of justice is personal and conditional, not general or vindictive._ > We will have thy old double-dealing uncle, Huckaback of Dulverton, and march him first to assault Doone Castle, sure as my name is Stickles. Stickles threatens to force Uncle Reuben to lead the assault on Doone Castle, given his past boasts about storming the valley. _Stickles uses Uncle Reuben's own words against him to ensure his cooperation._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxix-a-troubled-state-and-a-foolish-joke - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters