The Return of the Native Book 5, Chapter 1 Summary

"Wherefore Is Light Given to Him That Is in Misery"

• It's now been three weeks since Mrs. Yeobright died.
• Eustacia is hanging around outside in her garden, as usual, and Humphrey stops by to ask after Clym.
• Clym is still inconsolable.
• Eustacia goes inside to speak to Clym. He's super depressed.
• Eustacia still hasn't said a word to him about not letting his mom in for a visit that day.
• The two talk in circles since all Clym can, or wants, to talk about is how guilty he feels and how wonderful his mom was.
• Clym wallows and Eustacia stews. Then Thomasin stops by for a visit.
• Clym goes on a shame-spiral rant, which really worries Thomasin. Eustacia remains pretty quiet through the whole thing.
• We learn that Thomasin is going to have her baby in another two months.
• Clym just won't stop talking and is obsessed about why his mother said what she did to Johnny before she died.
• Finally Damon pulls up in his carriage to pick up Thomasin.
• Eustacia rushes out to speak to him about her own guilt, since Clym is hogging the guilt spotlight at home.
• Damon offers up stupid advice, like not telling Clym he was in the house when Mrs. Yeobright came to visit.
• He then wishes that Clym would just die already and Eustacia gets mad at him.
• Thomasin comes out and the Wildeves drive off, with Eustacia watching them from the window.