Mrs. Yeobright, in turn, tells Wildeve that another suitor is interested in her niece. Refusing to be hurried into a commitment, Wildeve rushes off to call on Eustacia, wanting her to decide right away if she will accept his offer to go off with him. She will not do so, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 10-11Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 8-9
After the boy leaves, Venn rereads an old letter from Thomasin that rejects an earlier offer of his to marry her. This rejection was the very thing that convinced him to become a reddleman. After several attempts, Venn does manage to overhear what Eustacia and Wildeve say at a meeting […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 8-9Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 6-7
Eustacia is described as more like a goddess than a woman. Analysis Hardy develops a scene between Eustacia and Wildeve in these chapters to show the reactions of old lovers who meet again. When Wildeve appears, Eustacia laughs and is said to be full of “triumphant pleasure.” Hardy writes of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 6-7Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 4-5
In a private conversation, Wildeve answers Thomasin’s questions by saying that, of course, he will still marry her. Their discussion is interrupted when the group from Rainbarrow arrives. Led by Fairway and Grandfer Cantle, they have come to serenade the supposed newlyweds. Wildeve is annoyed by their appearance but must […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 4-5Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapter 3
The dance is interrupted by the arrival of Diggory Venn, the reddleman, who inquires the way to Mrs. Yeobright’s house. Mrs. Yeobright herself comes by, looking for Olly Dowden, and the two women go off together toward the Quiet Woman Inn, which is now to be Thomasin’s home. Analysis Of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 1-2
An old man in clothes of nautical style makes his way along this highway and presently catches up with another traveler walking alongside a van. By the red color of his complexion, his clothes, and his van, the second man is identified as a reddleman, a seller of a red […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book 1: Chapters 1-2Book Summary
The young woman traveling in Diggory Venn’s horse cart is Thomasin Yeobright, who was to have married Damon Wildeve that day. Mrs. Yeobright takes Thomasin with her to see Wildeve at the inn he operates in order to demand an explanation of his failure to marry her. When their bonfire […]
Read more Book Summary