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Excerpt
Excerpt from Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor, by R. D. Blackmore
Now being in a hurry--so far at least as it is in my nature to hurry--to
get to the end of this narrative, is it likely that I would have dwelled
so long upon my coat of arms, but for some good reason? And this good
reason is that Lorna took the greatest pride in it, and thought (or at
any rate said) that it quite threw into the shade, and eclipsed, all her
own ancient glories. And half in fun, and half in earnest, she called
me 'Sir John' so continually, that at last I was almost angry with
her; until her eyes were bedewed with tears; and then I was angry with
myself.
Beginning to be short of money, and growing anxious about the farm,
longing also to show myself and my noble escutcheon to mother, I
took advantage of Lady Lorna's interest with the Queen, to obtain my
acquittance and full discharge from even nominal custody. It had been
intended to keep me in waiting, until the return of Lord Jeffreys, from
that awful circuit of shambles, through which his name is still used by
mothers to frighten their children into bed. And right glad was
I--for even London shrank with horror at the news--to escape a man
so bloodthirsty, savage, and even to his friends (among whom I was
reckoned) malignant.
Earl Brandir was greatly pleased with me, not only for having saved his
life, but for saving that which he valued more, the wealth laid by for
Lord Alan. And he introduced me to many great people, who quite kindly
encouraged me, and promised to help me in every way when they heard how
the King had spoken. As for the furrier, he could never have enough of
my society; and this worthy man, praying my commendation, demanded of me
one thing only--to speak of him as I found him. As I had found him many
a Sunday, furbishing up old furs for new, with a glaze to conceal the
moths' ravages, I begged him to reconsider the point, and not to demand
such accuracy. He said, 'Well, well; all trades had tricks, especially
the trick of business; and I must take him--if I were his true
friend--according to his own description.' This I was glad enough to do;
because it saved so much trouble, and I had no money to spend with him.
But still he requested the use of my name; and I begged him to do the
best with it, as I never had kept a banker. And the 'John Ridd cuffs,'
and the 'Sir John mantles,' and the 'Holly-staff capes,' he put into
his window, as the winter was coming on, ay and sold (for everybody was
burning with gossip about me), must have made this good man's fortune;
since the excess of price over value is the true test of success in
life.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor by R.D. Blackmore
Context of the Source
Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor (1869) is a historical novel by Richard Doddridge Blackmore, set in late 17th-century England during the reign of Charles II and the aftermath of the Monmouth Rebellion (1685). The novel blends romance, adventure, and historical drama, following the life of John Ridd, a Devonshire farmer, and his love for Lorna Doone, a noblewoman raised by the outlaw Doone clan.
The excerpt comes from a later part of the novel, where John Ridd has been temporarily detained in London due to his involvement in the rebellion. He is awaiting the return of Lord Jeffreys (the infamous "Hanging Judge"), who was known for his brutal suppression of rebels. John, however, manages to secure his release through Lorna’s connections at court and reflects on his experiences in high society, his coat of arms, and his interactions with a cunning furrier.
Themes in the Excerpt
Social Class and Nobility
- John Ridd, a simple farmer, is suddenly thrust into aristocratic circles due to his bravery and Lorna’s influence.
- His coat of arms (a symbol of nobility) becomes a point of pride for Lorna, who playfully calls him "Sir John", highlighting the tension between his humble origins and his newfound status.
- The furrier’s exploitation of John’s name for profit satirizes how social prestige is commodified—even a farmer’s name can be turned into a luxury brand.
Love and Playfulness in John and Lorna’s Relationship
- Lorna’s teasing ("Sir John") shows their affectionate, playful dynamic, but it also hints at her awareness of class differences.
- John’s frustration and subsequent guilt when she nearly cries reveal his deep emotional investment in her—he cannot stay angry with her for long.
Corruption and Hypocrisy in High Society
- The furrier’s request to use John’s name—despite his shady business practices (covering up moth-eaten furs with "glaze")—mirrors how reputation and appearance matter more than truth in aristocratic circles.
- The excess of price over value as the "true test of success" is a cynical commentary on capitalism and social climbing—people pay for the illusion of prestige, not quality.
Political Danger and Survival
- John’s relief at escaping Lord Jeffreys (a real historical figure known for his bloody assizes) reflects the perilous political climate of the time.
- His release through Lorna’s royal connections shows how personal influence can override justice—a common theme in historical novels about power and favoritism.
Irony and Satire
- The furrier’s demand for honesty ("speak of him as I found him") is ironic because his trade is built on deception (hiding flaws in furs).
- John’s wry observation that the furrier’s success comes from charging more than something is worth critiques consumerism and vanity.
Literary Devices Used
First-Person Narration (John Ridd’s Voice)
- The conversational, self-deprecating tone ("so far at least as it is in my nature to hurry") makes John a relatable, humble narrator.
- His dry humor ("I had no money to spend with him") contrasts with the serious political dangers he faces.
Irony & Sarcasm
- The furrier’s "trick of business" is doublespeak—he asks for honesty while his trade is dishonest.
- The line "the excess of price over value is the true test of success in life" is biting satire on materialism and social pretension.
Foreshadowing & Historical Allusion
- The mention of Lord Jeffreys foreshadows the violence and injustice of the time.
- The coat of arms symbolizes John’s rising status, but also the artificiality of nobility—Lorna values it more than he does.
Imagery & Symbolism
- The moth-eaten furs symbolize decay beneath a polished surface—a metaphor for aristocratic corruption.
- "Holly-staff capes" (named after John’s walking stick) show how even a farmer’s simple possessions can be romanticized by high society.
Contrast (Juxtaposition)
- John’s humility vs. Lorna’s pride in his new status.
- The furrier’s greed vs. John’s financial struggles.
- The horror of Lord Jeffreys vs. the frivolity of London fashion.
Significance of the Passage
Character Development
- Shows John’s growth—from a simple farmer to a man navigating court politics and social expectations.
- Reveals Lorna’s affectionate but complex relationship with him—she elevates him socially but also teases him, keeping their dynamic lively.
Social Commentary
- Critiques class mobility—John is temporarily accepted by the elite, but his lack of wealth still limits him (e.g., he can’t afford the furrier’s goods).
- Exposes the hypocrisy of nobility—titles and appearances matter more than real virtue or merit.
Historical Realism
- The fear of Lord Jeffreys grounds the story in real post-rebellion England, where arbitrary executions were common.
- The commodification of John’s name reflects how celebrity and gossip drove consumer culture even in the 17th century.
Narrative Function
- The coat of arms and furrier episode serve as comic relief before darker events (likely involving Jeffreys’ return).
- The tension between John and Lorna over his title foreshadows future conflicts—will their love survive class differences?
Key Takeaways from the Text Itself
- John’s Reluctant Nobility: He doesn’t take his new status seriously ("I was almost angry with her"), but Lorna’s pride in it shows how love can reshape identity.
- The Furrier as a Symbol of Corruption: His manipulation of John’s name for profit mirrors how society exploits people for their image.
- Escape from Danger: John’s relief at avoiding Jeffreys contrasts with the frivolous world of London fashion, emphasizing the duality of his experiences—life-and-death stakes vs. social games.
- Love’s Power Over Class: Lorna’s teasing "Sir John" is both playful and meaningful—she sees him as noble, regardless of his birth.
Final Interpretation
This passage blends romance, satire, and historical tension, showing how John Ridd’s world is expanding—both in love and social status, but also in danger and moral ambiguity. The coat of arms and furrier episode serve as microcosms of the novel’s themes: the fluidity of class, the power of love to transcend boundaries, and the corruption beneath glittering surfaces. Blackmore uses humor and irony to critique 17th-century society, while keeping the emotional core of John and Lorna’s relationship central.
Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect, such as the historical context of Lord Jeffreys or the symbolism of the coat of arms?