The Return of the Native, written by Thomas Hardy and first published in 1878, remains one of his most celebrated novels, embodying the deep intricacies of human emotion, the relentless power of nature, and the often cruel twists of fate. Set against the bleak, yet hauntingly beautiful, landscape of Egdon Heath, the novel is a deep examination of the conflicting desires of its characters, who are often trapped between personal ambition and the deterministic forces of nature and society. This article offers an in-depth summary, analysis, character evaluation, and exploration of the themes that underpin this literary masterpiece.
Summary and Analysis
At its core, The Return of the Native is a novel about human ambition, tragedy, and the inability of individuals to escape their innate nature or the environment that surrounds them. The novel is divided into six books, each focusing on the progression of the characters’ fates as their paths intertwine in Egdon Heath, a remote and desolate region in Wessex (the fictional rural area often featured in Hardy’s novels).
The story begins with a vivid description of Egdon Heath, a landscape that plays a symbolic role throughout the novel. Hardy describes the heath as ancient, unchanging, and timeless—a stark contrast to the fleeting desires and concerns of the characters who inhabit it. The heath’s immovable nature reflects the deterministic theme that runs through the novel: the sense that people are powerless against the forces of fate and nature.
The novel introduces several key characters, all of whom are pivotal to the story’s tragic unfolding:
- Eustacia Vye: A striking, beautiful, and passionate woman, Eustacia longs for excitement and adventure, which she feels is impossible to find in the isolation of Egdon Heath. She dreams of escaping to a more cosmopolitan life, viewing the heath as a suffocating and limiting environment. Eustacia’s desire for escape drives much of the plot’s tension.
- Clym Yeobright: The “native” of the title, Clym is a former diamond merchant in Paris who returns to the heath seeking a simpler, more meaningful life. Unlike Eustacia, Clym does not long for excitement or city life; instead, he finds peace in the rural environment. His return sets off a series of events that lead to the novel’s tragic conclusion.
- Thomasin Yeobright: Clym’s cousin, a gentle and modest woman, whose ill-fated marriage to Damon Wildeve creates complications for nearly everyone in the novel.
- Damon Wildeve: A former lover of Eustacia and the eventual husband of Thomasin, Wildeve is a restless man, torn between his feelings for Eustacia and his duty to Thomasin. His indecision and selfishness contribute to the novel’s tragic events.
- Mrs. Yeobright: Clym’s mother, a proud and strong-willed woman, who disapproves of Eustacia and hopes for a better match for her son. Her strained relationship with both Clym and Eustacia culminates in one of the novel’s most heartbreaking moments.
The novel’s central conflict arises from the intersection of these characters’ desires, particularly the tension between Eustacia’s longing for escape and Clym’s desire to return to his roots. Clym’s plan to become a schoolmaster in Egdon Heath clashes with Eustacia’s dreams of a more glamorous life, leading to a growing rift between them. Eustacia, dissatisfied with her marriage to Clym, rekindles her relationship with Wildeve, leading to tragic consequences.
Hardy’s use of fate and chance is pivotal in The Return of the Native. Characters are often victims of cruel twists of fate—missed messages, misunderstood intentions, and ill-timed actions. A notable example is the death of Mrs. Yeobright, who, after a painful estrangement from her son, attempts to reconcile with him. However, when she arrives at his home, Eustacia, who is inside, refuses to open the door, leading Mrs. Yeobright to believe she has been rejected. She collapses from exhaustion on her way home and is later found dead from snakebite—a literal and symbolic representation of the hostile forces of nature at play.
The novel concludes with a tragic chain of events: Eustacia, in a desperate attempt to escape her unhappiness, drowns in a nearby weir, and Wildeve dies in an attempt to save her. Clym is left broken and guilt-ridden, having lost his wife, mother, and cousin to the relentless forces of fate and nature. The novel’s final image is of Clym, now a preacher, wandering the heath, a solitary figure whose dreams have been shattered by the very place he once sought solace in.
Character Analysis
Eustacia Vye
Eustacia is perhaps the novel’s most fascinating and tragic figure. She represents a figure of romantic longing, constantly yearning for something more than what her environment can provide. Described as strikingly beautiful, with a commanding presence, Eustacia is passionate and restless. However, her passion is also her downfall. She is trapped between her desires and the limitations of her circumstances. Her intense desire to leave Egdon Heath and pursue a life of excitement contrasts sharply with the calm, stable life that Clym envisions for them. This fundamental difference in their desires creates an irreparable divide in their marriage.
Eustacia’s tragic flaw is her inability to adapt to her surroundings. Her desire for something beyond what she has blinds her to the possibility of contentment within her current situation. In many ways, she represents the Romantic ideal of the individual who strives for something greater, only to be crushed by the weight of reality. Her death is symbolic of the novel’s larger themes of the struggle between individual desires and the unyielding forces of fate and nature.
Clym Yeobright
Clym is the “native” referred to in the novel’s title, and his return to Egdon Heath sets the story in motion. Initially, Clym appears as an idealistic figure, someone who has turned his back on the materialism of city life to seek a more meaningful existence. He is determined to make a difference in the lives of the people on the heath by becoming a schoolmaster and educating them.
However, Clym’s idealism is ultimately his downfall. He is unable to see the growing dissatisfaction in his marriage, and his stubbornness prevents him from reconciling with his mother before her death. Clym’s character is deeply tied to the novel’s theme of the conflict between human ambition and the immutable forces of nature. Despite his best intentions, he is unable to escape the tragedies that unfold around him.
Thomasin Yeobright
In contrast to Eustacia’s passion and Clym’s idealism, Thomasin represents stability and endurance. She is kind-hearted, gentle, and patient, yet her life is marred by the actions of others. Her initial marriage to Wildeve is troubled, but she remains devoted to her family and finds some solace in motherhood and eventual reconciliation with her cousin Clym. Thomasin’s quiet perseverance stands in stark contrast to the more dramatic fates of the other characters, highlighting her role as a stabilizing force in the chaotic world of Egdon Heath.
Damon Wildeve
Wildeve is the novel’s most selfish character, driven by his own desires and incapable of making firm commitments. His relationship with Eustacia is marked by indecision, as he oscillates between his love for her and his duty to Thomasin. Wildeve’s character reflects the theme of restlessness and discontent that runs throughout the novel. His inability to make clear choices ultimately leads to his tragic death, as he is drawn back to Eustacia even when it is too late.
Mrs. Yeobright
Clym’s mother is a proud, independent woman who deeply loves her son and hopes for his success. However, her disapproval of Eustacia and her strained relationship with Clym drive much of the conflict in the novel. Mrs. Yeobright’s tragic death is one of the novel’s most heart-wrenching moments, as it represents the failure of reconciliation and the destructive power of misunderstanding and pride. Her death haunts Clym for the remainder of the novel, serving as a constant reminder of the consequences of unresolved conflicts.
Themes in The Return of the Native
The Power of Fate and Chance
One of the most significant themes in The Return of the Native is the power of fate and chance. Hardy frequently portrays his characters as being at the mercy of forces beyond their control. Throughout the novel, small, seemingly insignificant events—such as a letter that goes unread or a door left unopened—have devastating consequences. Mrs. Yeobright’s death, for example, is the result of a tragic misunderstanding that could have been avoided if Eustacia had simply opened the door.
Hardy’s use of fate reflects his belief in determinism, the idea that human beings are bound by the forces of nature and the universe. The characters in The Return of the Native often struggle against these forces, but their efforts are ultimately futile. Eustacia’s desire to escape the heath, for example, is thwarted at every turn, and she is eventually consumed by the very environment she despised.
Nature as a Character
Egdon Heath is not just the setting of the novel—it is a character in its own right. Hardy’s descriptions of the heath emphasize its timelessness, its indifference to human concerns, and its ability to shape the lives of those who live on it. The heath is portrayed as a hostile, almost malevolent force, particularly in its role in the deaths of Mrs. Yeobright and Eustacia.
The heath’s role in the novel underscores the theme of the conflict between human ambition and the forces of nature. No matter how much the characters strive to achieve their goals, they are ultimately at the mercy of the heath’s unchanging presence. This theme is closely tied to Hardy’s belief in the insignificance of human beings in the face of the vastness of the natural world.
Isolation and Alienation
Isolation is a pervasive theme in The Return of the Native. The characters are physically isolated by the remote setting of Egdon Heath, but they are also emotionally isolated from one another. Eustacia, in particular, feels a deep sense of alienation from the world around her. She is disconnected from the other inhabitants of the heath, and even in her marriage to Clym, she remains emotionally distant.
The theme of isolation is further explored through Clym’s relationship with his mother. Mrs. Yeobright’s disapproval of his marriage to Eustacia creates a rift between them, leading to their estrangement. After her death, Clym is left isolated in his grief, unable to reconcile with either his mother or his wife.
The Role of Women and Gender Relations
Hardy’s portrayal of women in The Return of the Native is complex and multifaceted. Eustacia and Thomasin represent two very different models of womanhood. Eustacia is passionate, independent, and defiant of traditional gender roles, while Thomasin embodies the more traditional, submissive ideal of femininity. However, both women suffer as a result of the men in their lives—Eustacia through her relationships with Clym and Wildeve, and Thomasin through her marriage to Wildeve.
The novel explores the limitations placed on women by society and the consequences of challenging those limitations. Eustacia’s desire for independence and freedom ultimately leads to her downfall, suggesting that Hardy viewed the pursuit of autonomy by women as fraught with danger in the society of his time.
Conclusion
The Return of the Native is a richly layered novel that delves into themes of fate, nature, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships. Through its vivid portrayal of characters such as Eustacia Vye, Clym Yeobright, and Egdon Heath itself, the novel offers a profound meditation on the human condition. Hardy’s exploration of the conflict between personal ambition and the unyielding forces of nature continues to resonate with readers today, making The Return of the Native a timeless and enduring work of literature.
