Topic > The Return of the Native Characters: Physical Aspects

The Return of the Natives is a novel written by Thomas Hardy and was published in 1878. It is part of Hardy's Wessex novel and is set in Edgon Heath, an area full of witchcraft and superstitions. Eustacia Vye, Diggory Venn, and Clym Yeobright are all major characters in Return of the Native. However, they all have different physical appearances and personality traits, which causes the other characters in the novel to react differently towards them. Eustacia Vye is originally from Budmouth but moved to Edgon Heath to live with her grandfather, Captain Vye. Eustacia is described as a beautiful young woman and is compared to a goddess. He has “pagan eyes full of nocturnal mysteries” (Hardy 63). Her black hair is compared to the Sphinx and she is always called the "Queen of the Night" (Hardy 39). Eustacia attracts every guy in Edgon Heath. Charley, a local servant, is willing to give Eustacia his role in the play just to hold her hand for ten minutes. Furthermore, Damon Wildeve and Clym Yeobright are both in love with her. The people in Edgon Heath, such as Mrs. Yeobright and Susan Nunsuch, did not react very well to Eustacia. For example, Mrs. Yeobright believes that Eustacia is lazy and wanton. He does not approve of Clym and Eustacia's marriage and believes that Eustacia is the reason behind Clym's disappointing actions. For example, when Clym informs Mrs. Yeobright that he wants to stay in Edgon Heath, she says that he is wasting his life. Mrs. Yeobright states that if it were not for Eustacia, Clym would never have "agreed to the teaching program" (Hardy 178). Susan Nunsuch accuses Eustacia of being a witch. Susan believes that Eustacia cast a spell on Johnny and Susan Eustacia with a needle to prevent dire spirits on her son. Another main character in Hardy's novel The Return of the Native is Diggory Venn. Diggory Venn has been in love with Thomasin Yeobright since his childhood. However, she rejects Diggory by writing him a letter stating that she is not in love with him, and Mrs. Yeobright would not approve of this (Hardy 76). Although Diggory is rejected by Thomasin, he does not stop caring for her. For example, Diggory ensures Thomasin's happiness by convincing Damon Wildeve to marry her. Heartbroken, Diggory leaves his profession as a diary farmer and becomes a reddleman, a person who sells red chalk to sheep farmers (Diggory Venn: the Reddleman).