The Return of the Native · Chapter
II: Thomasin Walks in a Green Place by the Roman Road explained
Thomasin is perplexed by Diggory Venn's secret affection, which is revealed when her lost glove is returned by him through a servant.
What happens
Thomasin is perplexed by Diggory Venn's secret affection, which is revealed when her lost glove is returned by him through a servant. Their subsequent meeting on the heath leads to a tender conversation about character and feelings, hinting at a rekindled connection.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Thomasin and Venn's interaction hints at romantic tension and the possibility of rekindled affection.
Isolation and Loneliness
Thomasin walks alone on the heath, and Venn speaks of his feelings being hidden and his soft sentiments gone.
Characters to notice
- Thomasin Yeobright
Perplexed by Venn's secret love; walks on the heath with her baby; confronts Venn about the glove.
- Diggory Venn
Returns Thomasin's glove via a servant; meets her on the heath and engages in a revealing conversation about his character and feelings.
- Clym Yeobright
Briefly appears, asking Thomasin about her thoughts, but soon returns to gardening.
- Eustacia Vye
Mentioned as the baby Thomasin carries and trains to walk on the heath.
Key passages
“I don't exactly know, except it is to cover up your feelings under a practical manner, and only to show them when you are alone.”
Thomasin says she doesn't know Venn's character exactly, but she thinks he hides his feelings behind a practical exterior and only reveals them in private.
Thomasin's insight into Venn's character during their conversation on the heath.
“I have got so mixed up with business of one sort and t'other that my soft sentiments are gone off in vapour like. Yes, I am given up body and soul to the making of money. Money is all my dream.”
Venn claims that his involvement in various business affairs has caused his tender feelings to evaporate, and that he is now entirely devoted to making money.
Venn's self-description to Thomasin, which she takes as partly teasing.