Despair seems to be a common theme in Thomas Hardy’s books and
thus, also in the adaptation of his books into films. In the film,
The Return of the Native, the feeling of despair seems to be
cultivated throughout the entire plot. The opening scene of Eustacia
walking alone over the barren moors and the images of bonfires
flickering in the darkness open the film with a despairing tone that
continues through even the most superficially happy moments of the
film. Hardy is able to develop the theme of despair almost into a
character itself, a character more dark and sinister than even the
natives expect their local “witch” is.
The Return of the Native is a film about the life of Eustacia
Vye, a beautiful but strange woman living in a small superstitious
community. Eustatia abstains from many social events, partly by
choice and partly by ostracization, and thus arouses suspicions. It
doesn’t help Eustacia’s case that all the local young men
court her, furthering suspicions that she has “bewitched”
them. In reality, although Eustatia is toying with the heart of one
engaged man, Damon Wildeve, her desire is to escape the community and
go to Paris. A man named Clym comes to the village on vacation from
his job in France. When Eustatia sees this new prospect, she begins
to pursue Clym, despite the fact that his mother is one of the most
superstitious women in the town. Clym falls in love with her and they
wed, but it doesn’t prevent the other men to continue to play
questionable roles in her life. Eustacia begs Clym to take her to
Paris, but Clym desires to start a school. As Clym continues reading
voraciously to prepare for his school, he goes blind. One afternoon
Damon visits Eustacia while Clym is sleeping. While Damon is there
Clym’s mother visits. Eustacia refuses to answer the door and
on her way home the mother dies. Clym and Eustacia grow distant after
this event and Eustacia plans to run away with Damon. As Eustacia is
going to meet Damon she drowns. Damon and Clym jump in to save her.
Both fail but the mysterious man of the film, Diggory Venn, is able
to save each person. Damon and Eustacia die, but the author, Thomas
Hardy, provides some shallow hope in the end when Diggory, now a
hero, marries Damon’s widow. The film concludes as Clym, still
haunted by Eustacia’s beauty, teaches a small group on the
heath.
