# Obsession and Jealousy in The Dewy Morn

> Theme guide for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

Robert Godwin's consuming, unrequited love for Felise transforms into a bitter, self-torturing obsession, illustrating how fixation can lead to cruelty and a desire to witness the happiness one cannot have.

## Where it surfaces

- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-v): Felise's intense focus on Martial's movements and her emotional turmoil as he passes without seeing her hint at the beginnings of an obsessive attachment.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vi): Felise's single-minded focus on Barnard, her inability to notice the world around her, and her emotional turmoil after the meeting highlight an obsessive quality to her love.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vii): Barnard's inability to stop thinking about Felise, his return to the beech tree, and his fixation on the carved initial and handkerchief illustrate the onset of obsessive longing.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-viii): Felise's obsessive thoughts about Martial, her repeated visits to the beech tree, and her fear of losing him to another woman.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-ix): Felise's resolve borders on obsession; she is willing to sacrifice everything to be in Martial's society, and the thought of failure brings her to tears.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xii): Barnard's compulsion to destroy all traces of Felise and his stubborn adherence to a duty-bound love reflect an obsessive need to control his own emotions.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xiii): Barnard's fixation on Felise's image, despite his denial of love, drives his emotional turmoil and cruelty toward Rosa.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv): Martial's inability to stop thinking about Felise and his secret observations reveal an obsessive fixation.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xv): Felise's single-minded pursuit of Martial, using fishing as a mere pretext, reveals her growing obsession.
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi): Martial's intense surveillance of Felise and his jealous reaction to the possibility of a lover reveal his hidden obsession.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii): Godwin's intense, lingering gaze at Felise and his purchase of Ruy hint at his obsessive interest in her and rivalry with Barnard.
- [The Works of Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xx): Godwin's relentless, compulsive activity and inability to rest suggest an obsessive personality, though jealousy is not directly evident in this chapter.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxi): Godwin's love is depicted as an all-consuming obsession that dominates his entire existence, leaving him unable to engage with reality.
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiii): Godwin's nine-year fixation on Felise, his reflexive opposition to her happiness, and his jealousy-driven enclosure of the spring exemplify destructive obsession.
- [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiv): Godwin's obsessive passion for Felise is evident in his sleepless nights and his reflexive opposition to her wishes, driven by years of stored-up emotion.
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxv): Rosa Wood's obsessive watch for Martial and her instant jealousy upon seeing Felise drive through town.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-i): Rosa's jealousy is the central emotion of the chapter, driving her to hate Felise and feel betrayed by Martial.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii): Robert Godwin's dark reaction to Abner's presence hints at jealousy and obsession with Felise.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv): Robert Godwin's vengeful obsession with Mary Shaw after her rejection drives him to spy on her and plot against her family. His jealousy of Abner Brown is a key motive for his actions.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiv): Godwin's nine-year obsession with Felise culminates in bitter jealousy upon discovering her love for Martial; he watches them from his window, unable to act.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xv): Godwin's jealousy drives him to spy on Felise and Martial, torturing himself with their happiness and preparing weapons.
- [Miller Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii): Miller Bond's fixation on Felise's past kindness (the three red roses) overwhelms his ability to act rationally during the rescue, showing how obsession can paralyze judgment.
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xx): Felise struggles with jealousy over Martial's past love for Rosa, but overcomes it through her devotion.
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv): Godwin's obsessive belief that Felise is Martial's mistress drives him to attempt destroying her beauty.
- [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvii): Godwin's violent outburst and accusations against Martial are driven by obsessive jealousy over Felise, while Rosa's whispered 'I hate you!' to Felise reveals her own jealous pain despite her noble offer.
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxviii): Godwin's final act is the culmination of his obsessive fixation on Felise and his jealousy of Martial, leading to self-destruction.
- [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxix): Godwin's nine-year obsession with Felise drives him to suicide, illustrating the destructive power of unattainable love.

## Links

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