# XIII explained — The Dewy Morn

> Chapter companion for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Felise and Martial sit together on Godwin's lawn, each absorbed in private thoughts about the other. Felise admires Martial's appearance and character, while Martial struggles to resist his growing attraction to her, reminding himself of his past romantic experiences. They discuss the plight of farmers and rural laborers, with Martial expressing frustration at the servility of farmers and the coldness of philanthropy. Godwin interrupts their conversation, and Martial departs, but the scene repeats on his next visit, suggesting a deepening connection orchestrated by Godwin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Idealization

Both Felise and Martial engage in intense idealization of each other: Felise romanticizes Martial's worn coat and mended boots, while Martial sees Felise as a Greek goddess, yet both resist acknowledging their feelings.

### Social Class and Injustice

Martial criticizes the servility of farmers, the landlord system, and the hypocrisy of philanthropy that ignores individual suffering, highlighting class-based oppression in rural England.

### Beauty and Aesthetic Worship

Martial's internal monologue dwells on Felise's physical beauty—her shoulder, knee, hand, and hair—comparing her to an Immortal or Cytherea, treating her as a living work of art.

## Character check-ins

### Felise Goring

Felise sits with Martial, secretly admiring his voice, lips, hands, and hair, and wishing he would look at her. She reflects on giving him his horse back and anticipates her father's anger.

### Martial Barnard

Martial tries to maintain emotional distance from Felise, recalling his past romantic 'extravagances,' but is captivated by her beauty, noting her shoulder, knee, and hand. He discusses his disillusionment with farming and the social system.

### Robert Godwin

Godwin emerges from the house to interrupt the conversation, dismissing Martial for the evening and arranging his next visit. He is implied to have orchestrated these meetings.

## Key lines

> How well he talks—what ideas he has! his voice is low, but it is deep and strong; his lips are well-shaped—I should like a kiss.

Felise admires Martial's speaking ability, the depth of his voice, and the shape of his lips, and feels a desire to kiss him.

_Felise's internal monologue reveals her growing physical attraction to Martial._

> How fortunate I exhausted all my romance before I met her! There is no knowing to what lengths I should have gone; but luckily all those extravagances are gone by.

Martial tells himself that his past romantic experiences protect him from falling for Felise, though his thoughts betray his fascination.

_Martial's self-deception about his emotional immunity is a key character insight._

> There is nothing so cold-hearted as philanthropy.

Martial argues that large charitable donations to institutions often ignore the real needs of individuals, making philanthropy heartless.

_Martial critiques the impersonal nature of 'scientific philanthropy' in the Victorian era._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters