The Return of the Native Period Three Discussion Director
What is the main characters opinion of the Heath? Do they like it or despise it? Why are their opinions different? How do their differences in opinion affect their interactions? Remember to try and use the best examples from the text that you can, even though the book is wicked confusing.
Edit-
I was about to change this question, but saw that everyone had already responded to it, and the answers made pretty much sense, so I guess I will use my next question next time. I was going to ask how Eustacia’s relationship with Damon effect the relatinship between Damon and Thomasin. But ’sall good, so I guess we will wait untill next time.
On another note, for anyone who saw “V for Vendetta”, which I know that Adam and Mallory haven’t, I think the events in Reutrn of the native are being alluded to in the movie. In the beggining of “The Return of he Native”, a “gunpowder plot” is mentioned. While mentioned in passing, it was still mentioned. In V for Vendetta, there was a ryhme:
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…
Now, after some research I discovered that the 5th of November was the date of some sort of important treason perpertrated by Guy Fawkes. It just so happens that the day Eustacia meets with Damon on the hill is the 5th of November, and that was her excuse for a bonfire.
I thought that it was pretty interesting, seeing as the movie was good, so I put it in.
Also, remember that this story is taking place in the 1800’s, and that is why the language is so much different. Another thing I thought was *interesting* was the amount of trouble the people go through in the story for the person they love. Do the best to answer the above question the best you can. Not really to much more to say I suppose….
Just a suggestion to Mr. Shank, if your reading this, it would be ridiculous if we could do some video blogs.
Brian Wawrzyniak
Category: Discussion Director, Per 3 RotN DD | Tags: Add new tag, The Return Of The Native 5 comments »
February 11th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Some of the characters in the book really do like to live in the Heath area. They belive that this is the place they have always lived and they have history there, and they are satisfied with the resources that they have been given. Others feel like the land they live on doesn’t supply them with enough supplys. Since the Heath is a pretty barren place, they belive that they could make a living much more easily somewhere else.
Adam Lough
February 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Everywhere you go, someone is going to despise where they live. The same goes for the people who live in Egdon Heath. Some want to leave and go somewhere with more people and more excitement. Others just want to stay where they are because they don’t know how to live any other way or are too old to go somewhere strange, new, and different. This causes some conflicts between the people living in Egdon Heath but it mostly has no affects because everyone has their own opinion about where they live and no one is really going to change that. There are many people in love in this story and others who are trying to figure out who they should be with. Some people in this place find it hard to leave because the love of their life either wants to stay there or cannot leave.
~Laurisa
February 13th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Of course some of the people that live where they do, do not like where they live. As an example, I would rather live in Miami or somewhere warm. But, I guess I have grown to somewhat like it here. I think that the main characters of the heath like the heath. They all seem closely bonded, because they have bonfires with their whole community. Even though the land isn’t great, and they don’t have a lot of resources, I think they still like it. I think Damon would like to go to the U.S. because there is land and opportunity there, but I don’t think that he will leave his homeland and 2 of his loves (if he doesn’t take Eustacia with him). I think that Damon doesn’t really like where he lives, so he doesn’t fit in to his community. I haven’t seen Damon interact with and of the members of his community other than Thomasin and Eustacia.
~Mallory Stickler =)
February 13th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I think that the Heath drives the story because it fuels Eustacia’s boredom which in turns makes her want to fall in love with someone. She then becomes entangled with Damon, which causes problems with Thomasin, which causes more and more problems. Those problems will probably lead to everyone being married to someone completely different by the end of the book. I know that the question may not have made sense, and I thank everyone for answering it the best that they could. You guys rock.
Brian Wawrzyniak
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Brian: I liked your expanded entry. I loved V! Also-I am looking into the video blog thing.
As for the rest of you: I want to see more interaction between responses and less repetition.