# Love and Idealization in The Dewy Morn

> Theme guide for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

The book explores love as a transcendent, almost religious force, particularly through Felise's pure and self-sacrificing devotion and Martial's tendency to idealize women, projecting poetic fantasies onto them rather than seeing them as they are.

## Where it surfaces

- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-iii): Felise's love is portrayed as a pre-existing, almost spiritual force that gives meaning to her world, rather than a response to a specific person.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-iv): Felise's love for Martial is idealized and self-sacrificing; she wishes to give him everything and asks nothing in return, reflecting a pure, almost worshipful devotion.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vi): Felise's intense, almost worshipful gaze at Barnard and her idealization of his every feature exemplify the theme of love as an all-consuming, transcendent force.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vii): Barnard idealizes Felise's beauty and the meaning of her glance, questioning whether her look was real or a heartless game, while he simultaneously cherishes the handkerchief and completes the initial.
- [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-x): Felise's desire to be loved and her belief that her beauty can inspire passion reflect the idealization of love.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xii): Barnard's initial courtship of Rosa is driven by romantic fantasy; he projects poetical attributes onto her, only to later see her as ordinary when the illusion fades.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xv): Felise's intense focus on crossing paths with Martial suggests an idealized romantic fixation.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxi): Godwin's love for Felise is idealized and abstract, focusing on her as an image rather than a real person, which makes their connection impossible.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii): Felise's secret gift of Ruy to Martial demonstrates her selfless love and idealization of him.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii): Felise is so absorbed in her feelings for Martial that she barely hears his words, idealizing him and the moment despite the desolate garden setting.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiii): Both Felise and Martial engage in intense idealization of each other: Felise romanticizes Martial's worn coat and mended boots, while Martial sees Felise as a Greek goddess, yet both resist acknowledging their feelings.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xv): Felise's passionate pursuit of Martial contrasts with his indifference, highlighting the imbalance in their love.
- [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvi): Felise idealizes Martial, endowing him with godlike meaning and seeing her love as the central force that completes nature and life itself.
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xix): Martial's vision of Felise in the rosy cloud represents his idealized love, which gives him the strength to continue the rescue.
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xx): Felise's love for Martial is unwavering despite rumors and his past love for Rosa; she idealizes him as a hero.
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvi): Martial's near-death experience leads to a passionate confession of love, idealizing Felise as 'great and noble' and 'inestimable'.
- [The Dawn of Fulfillment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxx): Felise's love is portrayed as the ultimate fulfillment, bringing rest and complete happiness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/themes/love_and_idealization
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/themes