63 pages 2 hours read

Thomas Hardy

The Return of the Native

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1878

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Symbols & Motifs

The Bonfire

The bonfires lit on November 5 burn as last beacons of light for a world that will soon descend into the darkness of winter. For Eustacia, the fires represent a last chance to lure Wildeve back into her sphere of influence. She urges Johnny Nunsuch to feed the fire, to make it the biggest and brightest in the heath, hoping that Wildeve will see it and return to her. He was there a year ago, and during that time spurned her for another woman. She has just learned that his marriage didn’t happen. She will lure him back. The bonfire provides the backdrop for the reignition of their passion. The fire fills her with a yearning to be loved to “madness.”

A year later, on November 5, Eustacia has returned home to her grandfather, her marriage in shambles. Depressed, she rejects a fire, but Johnny builds one to cheer her up. Wildeve, now a wealthy married man and a father, sees the fire and is drawn in once again. He knows Eustacia’s sorry state and wants to assist her. She says she cannot take money from him, married to another woman. He agrees to help her escape. They cannot be together without returning to the love and passion they share.

Related Titles

By Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave

Thomas Hardy

Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

Channel Firing

Thomas Hardy

Channel Firing

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

Far From The Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy

Far From The Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

Jude the Obscure

Thomas Hardy

Jude the Obscure

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

Neutral Tones

Thomas Hardy

Neutral Tones

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Thomas Hardy

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

The Convergence of the Twain

Thomas Hardy

The Convergence of the Twain: Lines on the loss of the "Titanic"

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

The Darkling Thrush

Thomas Hardy

The Darkling Thrush

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

The Man He Killed

Thomas Hardy

The Man He Killed

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

The Mayor of Casterbridge

Thomas Hardy

The Mayor of Casterbridge

Thomas Hardy

Plot Summary

logo

The Withered Arm and Other Stories

Thomas Hardy

The Withered Arm and Other Stories

Thomas Hardy

Study Guide

logo

The Woodlanders

Thomas Hardy

The Woodlanders

Thomas Hardy