# Chapter X explained — The Return

> Chapter companion for The Return by Walter de la Mare.

## What happens

Mr. Bethany and Mr. Danton discuss Arthur Lawford's strange affliction, with Bethany arguing for faith and patience while Danton remains skeptical. Lawford descends and confronts Danton with bitter sarcasm, then retreats. Later, Lawford returns from a walk, examines his changed face in the mirror, and angrily resists Sheila's attempts to manage him. He agrees to meet Danton, leading to a tense confrontation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith vs. Skepticism

Mr. Bethany argues for faith in Lawford's identity despite the inexplicable change, while Danton represents skeptical doubt.

### Identity and Transformation

Lawford's changed face and the question of whether he is still himself are central to the chapter's conflict.

### Isolation and Alienation

Lawford feels isolated by his condition and alienated from his wife and friends, who treat him with suspicion or pity.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Lawford

Confronts Danton with bitter sarcasm, examines his changed face in the mirror, and resists Sheila's attempts to manage him.

### Sheila

Arranges for Mr. Bethany and Mr. Danton to visit, tries to manage Lawford's condition, and is caught between conflicting loyalties.

### Mr. Bethany

Defends Lawford with faith and patience, argues against skepticism, and tries to mediate the situation.

### Mr. Danton

Skeptical of Lawford's identity, confronts him, and is subjected to Lawford's bitter sarcasm.

## Key lines

> Conscious or unconscious, he has been through some terrific strain, some such awful conflict with the unseen powers that we—thank God!—have only read about, and never perhaps, until death is upon us, shall witness for ourselves.

Whether he was aware of it or not, Lawford has endured a tremendous ordeal, a battle with supernatural forces that most of us will never experience until we die.

_Mr. Bethany explains Lawford's condition as a result of a supernatural conflict._

> What more likely, more inevitable than that such a thing should leave its scar, its cloud, its masking shadow?—call it what you will.

It is only natural that such an experience would leave a mark, a cloud, or a shadow on his face.

_Mr. Bethany argues that Lawford's changed appearance is a consequence of his ordeal._

> You were born fat; you became fat; and fat, my dear Danton, has been deliberately thrust on you—in layers!

You were always fat, you grew fatter, and you have intentionally become even more obese over time.

_Lawford insults Danton by mocking his weight._

> I wish you would knock; you talk of quiet; you tell me to rest, and think; and here you come creeping and spying on me as if I was a child in a nursery.

I want you to knock before entering; you claim to want peace for me, yet you sneak in and watch me like I'm a child.

_Lawford angrily rebukes Sheila for intruding on his privacy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_se/chapters/x
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_se/chapters