# XV explained — The Dewy Morn

> Chapter companion for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Felise goes trout-fishing with Shaw, but her mind is elsewhere. She wanders through fields and meadows, using the fishing rod as a pretense to cross paths with Martial Barnard. She waits near his fields and an abandoned barn, growing impatient with the slow process of trying to meet him by chance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Jealousy

Felise's single-minded pursuit of Martial, using fishing as a mere pretext, reveals her growing obsession.

### Love and Idealization

Felise's intense focus on crossing paths with Martial suggests an idealized romantic fixation.

### Nature and Spirituality

The natural landscape—the brook, the mill-pool, the barn—mirrors Felise's inner state and serves as a backdrop for her emotional turmoil.

## Character check-ins

### Felise Goring

Uses fishing as a pretext to wander Martial's fields; preoccupied and impatient to meet him.

### Mary Shaw

Felise's maid, lively and devoted, teases Felise about being in love.

### Martial Barnard

The object of Felise's search; she haunts his fields hoping for an accidental meeting.

### Mr. Goring

Seen working in the garden with Abner Brown as Felise leaves.

### Abner Brown

Working in the garden with Mr. Goring.

### Miller Bond

The miller at Glads Mill, who touches his forehead as Felise passes.

## Key lines

> Felise had lately been singularly particular about her dress when she went trout-fishing.

Felise had recently become very careful about how she dressed for fishing.

_Indicates her fishing is a pretext to look good for Martial._

> Felise did not attach another fly, but cast the line just as it was without a bait.

Felise stopped using a fly and cast an empty line.

_Shows she has abandoned any pretense of actually fishing._

> Since her resolution was formed that morning at the trout-pool before her swim, she had accomplished nothing.

Since deciding that morning to pursue Martial, she had made no progress.

_Highlights her frustration and impatience._

## Links

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