The Return of the Native · Chapter
He Is Set Upon by Adversities but He Sings a Song explained
Eustacia returns early from visiting her grandfather, having quarreled bitterly with Mrs.
What happens
Eustacia returns early from visiting her grandfather, having quarreled bitterly with Mrs. Yeobright. Clym is distressed by the rift. Thomasin later explains the guineas mystery. Clym's eyesight fails from overstudy, forcing him to abandon his scholarly plans. He decides to become a furze-cutter, a decision that horrifies Eustacia, who dreams of escaping Egdon for Paris.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Sacrifice
Clym sacrifices his Parisian ambitions and endures physical labor and eye affliction for his principles.
Social Class and Ambition
Eustacia's horror at Clym's descent to manual labor highlights class tensions and thwarted ambition.
Isolation and Loneliness
Clym's microscopic world of furze-cutting and the estrangement from his mother deepen the couple's isolation.
Characters to notice
- Eustacia Vye
Returns home flushed and agitated after quarreling with Mrs. Yeobright; expresses despair at Clym's decision to become a furze-cutter.
- Clym Yeobright
Distressed by the quarrel; suffers acute eye inflammation from overstudy; stoically decides to take up furze-cutting.
- Thomasin Yeobright
Visits Clym to return the guineas; reports that Mrs. Yeobright was very disturbed after meeting Eustacia.
- Mrs. Yeobright
Quarreled with Eustacia; reported by Thomasin to be very disturbed afterward.
- Humphrey
Furze-cutter who speaks with Clym about his work; Clym borrows tools from him.
Key passages
“I have seen your mother; and I will never see her again!”
Eustacia declares she will never again meet Mrs. Yeobright after their quarrel.
Eustacia's ultimatum deepens the family rift.
“I am going to be a furze and turf cutter.”
Clym announces his intention to take up manual labor cutting furze and turf.
Clym's decision marks a turning point in his social and professional identity.
“In comparison with slaves, and the Israelites in Egypt, and such people!”
Eustacia bitterly compares their reduced circumstances to slavery and biblical bondage.
Eustacia's sarcasm reveals her deep dissatisfaction with Clym's choice.