# VI explained — The Dewy Morn

> Chapter companion for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Felise and Barnard meet at dawn under the beeches. Felise, deeply in love, tries to prolong their encounter through conversation and subtle physical closeness, while Barnard is visibly conflicted, torn between attraction and restraint. After he leaves, Felise returns home in a daze, oscillating between shame and exhilaration over her boldness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Idealization

Felise's intense, almost worshipful gaze at Barnard and her idealization of his every feature exemplify the theme of love as an all-consuming, transcendent force.

### Obsession and Jealousy

Felise's single-minded focus on Barnard, her inability to notice the world around her, and her emotional turmoil after the meeting highlight an obsessive quality to her love.

## Character check-ins

### Felise Goring

Felise orchestrates the meeting, using every gesture and word to keep Barnard with her. She is passionately in love, bold yet vulnerable, and later experiences intense emotional swings.

### Martial Barnard

Barnard is deeply affected by Felise's presence, his heart racing and face flushing, but he struggles to maintain composure and ultimately leaves abruptly, torn between desire and duty.

### Ruy

Barnard's horse, Ruy, is a focal point of the encounter; Felise strokes and feeds him, using him as a pretext for closeness.

### Mary Shaw

Mary, the household attendant, notices Felise's changed mood and teases her about the ways of 'good-looking ladies.'

## Key lines

> If once you look over the side of a boat into the clear sea, you must continue looking—the depth fascinates the mind. Some depth in her rapt gaze fascinated him.

Just as staring into clear water compels you to keep looking, Barnard found himself unable to look away from the profound intensity of Felise's gaze.

_This simile captures the hypnotic power of Felise's look, which overcomes Barnard's will._

> Her lips were apart, rich, dewy, curved; they kissed him by their expression, if not in deed.

The shape and moisture of her parted lips seemed to offer a kiss through their mere appearance, even without physical contact.

_The narrator emphasizes the erotic and emotional charge of Felise's unspoken invitation._

> With as violent a revulsion of feeling she laughed, caught up a brush, and brushed her hair, and revelled in the thought of her boldness. She wished she had done more.

Her shame suddenly turned to exhilaration as she laughed and brushed her hair, delighting in her own audacity and even regretting she hadn't gone further.

_This illustrates Felise's rapid emotional shifts and her defiant embrace of her own desire._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters