# Identity and Transformation in The Return

> Theme guide for The Return by Walter de la Mare.

The central theme of the book is Arthur Lawford's radical and inexplicable change in appearance and personality after visiting the graveyard, exploring the crisis of selfhood and the struggle to reconcile one's inner and outer selves.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/the-return): Lawford's physical change challenges his sense of self and his relationships.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/i): Lawford's face changes in the mirror, leading to a crisis of identity and self-perception.
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/ii): Lawford's physical transformation challenges his sense of self and his wife's recognition of him.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/iii): Lawford's physical and psychological change is the central mystery; both he and others struggle to reconcile his altered appearance with his former self.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/iv): Lawford compares his old photograph with his new reflection, questioning who he has become and grappling with a profound change in identity.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/v): Lawford's physical and psychological change is discussed by Dr. Simon and Mr. Bethany, highlighting the tenuous hold on personality.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/vi): Lawford's mistaken name for Miss Sinnet and his reflection on his changed face underscore his crisis of identity.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/vii): Lawford's struggle with his altered face and his plan to reverse the change at Widderstone.
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/x): Lawford's changed face and the question of whether he is still himself are central to the chapter's conflict.
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xi): Lawford's changed face and the failure of his own daughter to recognize him highlight the crisis of identity and transformation.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xii): Lawford's face has changed to resemble Sabathier, raising questions about identity and whether he remains himself despite the physical transformation.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xiii): The chapter centers on the hypothetical and real transformation of Lawford, explored through Herbert's questions and Lawford's own altered appearance.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xiv): Lawford's changed face and his reflection in the mirror raise questions about his identity and the nature of his transformation.
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xvi): Lawford's changed face and his struggle to reconcile his old self with his new demeanor are central; he notes he could never have 'hobnobbed so affably' before.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xviii): Lawford questions his own identity and whether his changed face reflects a deeper change, while Grisel argues that identity persists beyond physical appearance.
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xix): Lawford reflects on his changed face and heart, and the impossibility of proving his identity to a skeptical world.
- [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xxi): Lawford explicitly identifies as Sabathier and describes his complete change in beliefs and desires.
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xxiii): The stranger's claim to be Mary Lawford's son and the confusion over names (Sinnet vs. Bennett) highlight themes of mistaken identity and the fluidity of self.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/themes/identity_and_transformation
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/themes