# VI: The Two Stand Face to Face explained — The Return of the Native

> Chapter companion for The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy.

## What happens

Eustacia Vye, having secretly attended the Yeobright Christmas party, reflects on her infatuation with Clym Yeobright and her broken promise to meet Wildeve. She observes Clym from a distance, noting his thoughtful and isolated appearance. The chapter culminates in their first direct encounter, where Eustacia's romantic illusions clash with Clym's earnest demeanor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Isolation and Loneliness

Clym's face suggests isolation and a struggle against depression, while Eustacia feels isolated in her infatuation and broken promises.

### Love and Marriage

Eustacia's romantic fantasies about Clym contrast with her practical entanglement with Wildeve, highlighting the theme of love and marriage.

### Fate and Destiny

Eustacia's reflection on her missed meeting with Wildeve and her encounter with Clym suggest a sense of fate guiding events.

## Character check-ins

### Eustacia Vye

Eustacia secretly attends the Yeobright party, reflects on her promise to Wildeve, and becomes infatuated with Clym Yeobright.

### Clym Yeobright

Clym is observed by Eustacia at the party; his thoughtful and isolated appearance captivates her.

### Thomasin Yeobright

Thomasin is not visible at the party, but Eustacia thinks of her as a rival for Clym's affection.

### Damon Wildeve

Eustacia recalls her promise to meet Wildeve at the Barrow, but she fails to appear.

### Mrs. Yeobright

Mrs. Yeobright hosts the Christmas party and welcomes guests, including Fairway and Christian.

### Timothy Fairway

Fairway arrives late to the party and comments on Clym's changed appearance.

## Key lines

> The unreasonable nimbus of romance with which she had encircled that man might be her misery.

Eustacia fears that her romantic idealization of Clym could lead to her unhappiness.

_Eustacia's self-awareness of her infatuation._

> The look suggested isolation, but it revealed something more. As is usual with bright natures, the deity that lies ignominiously chained within an ephemeral human carcase shone out of him like a ray.

Clym's appearance conveyed loneliness, but also a radiant inner spirit typical of intelligent people.

_Description of Clym's character and appearance._

> She had promised to meet Wildeve by the Barrow this very night at eight, to give a final answer to his pleading for an elopement.

Eustacia had agreed to meet Wildeve at the Barrow to decide whether to elope with him.

_Eustacia's broken promise to Wildeve._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_the_native_se/chapters/vi-the-two-stand-face-to-face
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_the_native_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_of_the_native_se/chapters