The Return of the Native Man and the Natural World Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

But as for Yeobright [...] he could not help indulging in a barbarous satisfaction at observing that, in some of the attempts at reclamation from the waste, tillage [...] had receded again in despair, the ferns and furze-tufts stubbornly reasserting themselves. (3.2.8)

Clym demonstrates a bit of a rebellious streak here as he cheers for nature to kick cultivation's butt. It's notable that Clym's pro-nature spirit is characterized as "barbarous" – it begs the question as to whether or not the word is used ironically. In other words, does Hardy agree with society at large and find untamed nature barbaric, or is he using the word to tell us something else? One clue might be in another word used: "stubborn," which can be taken positively here since it demonstrates how hard-core the heath is.

Quote #5

"There is no use in hating people – if you hate anything, you should hate what produced them."

"Do you mean Nature? I hate her already. But I shall be glad to hear your scheme at any time." (3.3.73-4)

Eustacia wouldn't have joined Greenpeace. Or even National Geographic. Aside from showing us that Eustacia is not a nature-lover, this short exchange between her and Clym introduces an important theme: the contrast between human nature and the natural world. Two kinds of nature, two very different meanings at work.

Quote #6

She had used to think of the heath alone as an uncongenial spot to be in; she felt it now of the whole world. (5.7.1)

This is a major theme. The idea that the heath isn't just a tiny spot in the world but is actually the "whole world" resonates, or is present, throughout the novel. See, Eustacia's depressed feelings about her present location, Egdon, have expanded outward to encompass the entire world, as well as the entire future. So, in a way, Egdon itself has expanded outward for Eustacia and swallowed up all of time and space for her.