Chapter VIII Firmness is Discovered in a Gentle Heart

‘Gentle Heart’ refers to Thomasine as now she turned to be a “practical woman”. “I am a practical woman now. I don’t believe in hearts at all. I would marry him under any circumstances”. Wildeve proposed again to Thomasine. She is strong enough to put an end to her scandal even that she knows that Wildeve is not worthy.

Another letter?? Who send it? -From Clym who was away visiting a friend. -Content: He is wondering about the scandal of Thomasine as to be jilted in her wedding day with Mr. Wildeve! He heard people gossiping about it. - As a result: -She would marry him to save the fame of the family. She would marry him because of Clym’s letter.

Thomasine said “I do not plead for him, human nature is weak and I am not a blind woman to insist that he is perfect. I did think so, but I don’t know.” Thomasine refuses to let her aunt accompany her to the church & she prefers to go alone. - “I do not wish to do The Yeo anything which may touch your credit and I fell that should be uncomfortable if you were there. I am only your niece and no necessity to concern yourself more about me.”

It’s a shame that Thomasine goes a lone to the church. The next morning she leaves the house. Mrs. Yeobright “threw a slipper at the retreating figure of the girl.” It was a good-luck custom at the time. Diggory arrives to propose again for Thomasine. Mrs. Yeobright told him he was too late.

Clym arrived the same wedding day. His mother told him the whole story. He became angry for letting Thomasine go alone. The decide to go to the church. Diggory again! He narrated the wedding for them, saying that Miss Vye, Eustacia, was there. She pushed up her veil and signed her name.

Wildeve came towards her with a glance “I have punished you.” she answered “You mistake, it gives me sincerest pleasure to see her your wife today.” - Now Eustacia is free to make a move towards Clym. No girl can compete her. She gets rid of both Thomasine &Wildeve.

Comments Hardy has here described the occasion of the marriage of Thomasin to Wildeve by report through Venn, not directly or dramatically. His reason for handling this important event in such a manner is to allow the character Venn to describe the wedding to those most vitally interested in it, Clym and Mrs. Yeobright. The reddleman, of course, is again acting in his role of connector.

Irony: -Certainly the occasion of the marriage is full of irony in that Thomasine and Wildeve should be married in the presence only of Eustacia and Venn is part of the irony. Another is that Eustacia should be giving Thomasine away. "giving" Thomasin to Wildeve. Book II shows the curve still on the rise.