The Return of the Native is widely recognised as the most representative of Hardy’s Wessex novels. He evokes the dismal presence and menacing beauty of Egdon Heath - reaching out to touch the lives and fate of all who dwell on it. The central figure is Clym Yeobright, the returning’native’, and the story tells of his love for the beautiful but capricious Eustacia Vye.

As the narrative unfolds and character after character is driven to self-destruction the presence of the Heath becomes all-embracing, while Clym becomes a travelling preacher in an attempt to assuage his guilt.

Wordsworth Classics are inexpensive editions designed to appeal to the general reader and students. We commissioned teachers and specialists to write wide ranging, jargon-free introductions and to provide notes that would assist the understanding of our readers rather than interpret the stories for them. In the same spirit, because the pleasures of reading are inseparable from the surprises, secrets and revelations that all narratives contain, we strongly advise you to enjoy this book before turning to the Introduction.

Introduction

Bibliography

Author"s major works

Author"s Preface

BOOK FIRST: THE THREE WOMEN

I A Face on which Time makes but little Impression

II Humanity appears upon the Scene, Hand in Hand with Trouble

III The Custom of the Country

IV The Halt on the Turnpike Road

V Perplexity among honest People

VI The Figure against the Sky

VII Queen of Night

VIII Those who are found wbere there is said to be Nobody

IX Love leads a shrewd Man into Strategy

X A desperate Attempt at Persuasion

XI The Dishonesty of an honest Woman

BOOK SECOND: THE ARRIVAL

I Tidings of the Comer

II The People at Blooms-End make ready

III How a little Sound produced a great Dream

IV Eustacia is led on to an Adventure

V Through the Moonlight

VI The Two stand Face to Face

VII A Coalition between Beauty and Oddness

VIII Firmness is discovered in a gentle Heart

BOOK THIRD: THE FASCINATION

I "My Mind to Me a Kingdom is"

II The new Course causes Disappointment

III Thefirst Act in a timeworn Drama

IV An Hour of Bliss and many Hours of Sadness

V Sharp Words are spoken and a Crisis ensues

VI Yeobright goes, and the Breach is complete

VII The Morning and the Evening of a Day

VIII A new Force disturbs the Current

BOOK FOURTH: THE CLOSED DOOR

I The Rencounter by the Pool

II He is set upon by Adversities; but he sings a Song

III She goes out to Battle against Depression

IV Rough Coercion is employed

V The Journey across the Heath

VI A Conjuncture, and its Result upon the Pedestrian

VII The tragic Meeting of two old Friends

VIII Eustacia hears of good Fortune and beholds Evil

BOOK FIFTH: THE DISCOVERY

I "Wherefore is Light given to Him that is in Misery"

II A lurid Light breaks in upon a darkened

Understanding

III Eustacia dresses Herself on a black Morning

IV The Ministrations of a half-forgotten One

V An old Move inadvertently repeated

VI Thomasin argues with her Cousin, and He writes a Letter

VII The Night of the Sixth of November

VII Rain, Darkness and anxious Wanderers

IX Sights and Sounds draw the Wanderers together

BOOK SIXTH: AFTERCOURSES

I The Inevitable Movement onward

II Tbomasin walks in a green Place by the Roman Road

III The serious Discourse of Clym with his Cousin

IV Cheerfulness again asserts Itself at Blooms-End,and Clym finds his Vocation

Glossary

Notes to the text