The Return of the Native

“The sea changed, the fields changed, the rivers, the villages, and the people changed, yet Egdon remained.”

Egdon Heath, the novel’s setting, has an “ancient permanence.” Hardy places his cast of characters, with all their infatuations, schemes, grief, sorrow, and success, against the background of the heath. It follows the cycle of the season, is subject to storm and wind, yet persists in its sameness.

“The first tall flame from Blackbarrow sprang into the sky, attracting all eyes that had been fixed on the distant conflagrations back to their own attempt in the same kind.”

Eustacia Vye’s bonfire stands apart from all the others on November 5, burning more brightly and longer, yet all Egdon is involved in the same activity, the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. Readers meet the local people and hear the gossip.

“Eustacia! Could I forget that last autumn at this same day of the month and at this same place you lighted exactly such a fire as a signal for me to come and see you. Why should there have been a bonfire again by Captain Drew’s house if not for the same purpose.”

Wildeve returns to Eustacia’s November 5 fire, this year immediately after his botched elopement with Thomasin, whom he will marry. Eustacia’s flame ignites his passion. She draws him to her to demonstrate her power even though she knows his unworthiness and imperfection.