The Return of the Native Guilt and Blame Quotes

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

Quote #7

"I will put nothing in our way; but after what has passed it is asking too much that I go and make advances."

"You never distinctly told me what did pass between you."

"I could not do it then, nor can I now." (4.4.55-7)

This conversation highlights the theme of guilt and blame and how some things can't ever be forgiven or forgotten.

Quote #8

"If they had only shown signs of meeting my advances halfway how well it might have been done! But there is no chance. Shut out! She must have set him against me. Can their be beautiful bodies without hearts inside?" (4.6.75)

Though Eustacia has the most notable soliloquy in the book, just prior to her death, this one by Mrs. Yeobright is worth mentioning too. Here, Mrs. Yeobright is thinking aloud, and is speaking to the world at large. And given how many connections there are between Eustacia and Mrs. Yeobright, we aren't surprised that they both deliver very theatrical speeches in the novel.

Quote #9

Misgiving, regret, fear, resolution, ran their swift course of expression in Eustacia's dark eyes. She was face to face with a monstrous difficulty, and she resolved to get free of it by postponement. (4.7.9)

The detail about Eustacia's eyes are really interesting – in a way, her face is something of a mask and her emotions often live beneath the surface. The second sentence also provides really great insight into Eustacia's character and connects with her belief in the power of fate and the universe. She never really behaves as if she herself could actually change anything, but instead she blames the universe at large for her problems and avoids them altogether.