The Return of the Native Guilt and Blame Quotes

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

Quote #10

"I am not blaming you," she said quickly.

"Oh, I thought you were. If ever you should be inclined to blame me, think of a certain evening by Rainbarrow, when you promised to meet me and did not." (5.8.50-1)

This little exchange sums up Damon and Eustacia's relationship by the end of the novel. They still have a strong connection, but there are undercurrents of guilt and blame and resentment running between them.

Quote #11

"My conduct to her was too hideous – I made no advances; and she could not bring herself to forgive me. Now she is dead!" (5.1.17)

Multiply this dialogue by fifty and you get Clym near the end of the novel, after his mother's death. Clym is consumed by guilt and can't seem to stop beating himself up over everything.

Quote #12

"Single men have, no doubt, a right to curse themselves as much as they please; but men with wives involve two in the doom they pray down." (5.1.25)

The language here is a bit of a shout-out to the Greek plays that this novel often emulates. Eustacia speaks of "curses" and "doom" which often featured heavily in Greek (and Shakespearean, for that matter) tragedies, where fate often meddles in people's lives. But Eustacia has more earthly concerns here as well; it's apparent that she blames Clym for their problems and is angry with the guy.