Who Eustacia Vye is
Eustacia Vye lives at Mistover Knap with her grandfather, Captain Vye, a retired sea captain. She comes from the seaside town of Budmouth and misses the life she knows there. Where others find comfort on Egdon Heath, she feels trapped by its isolation.
What Eustacia Vye wants
Eustacia dreams of music, dancing, cities and a love powerful enough to change her life. Her longing to be loved is closely tangled with her longing to be free. When she hears that Clym has lived in Paris, she imagines him as a way into a wider world.
Eustacia Vye and the others in the story
Eustacia and Clym fall in love, but each hopes for a life the other does not want. She expects him to return to Paris, while he hopes she will share his work teaching the poor. His mother, Mrs Yeobright, fears that Eustacia will not be a suitable wife for him.
Questions
Who is Eustacia Vye?
Eustacia Vye is a passionate young woman who sees life on Egdon Heath as a kind of exile.
Why does Eustacia Vye love Clym?
His connection with Paris draws her to him, and she hopes their love will take her away from the heath.
Is Eustacia Vye wicked?
Hardy does not present her as simply wicked. He shows sympathy for her desire for freedom while also showing her pride and mistaken hopes.