# Marriage and Domestic Tension in The Return

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

The strained relationship between Arthur and Sheila Lawford is a key theme, revealing distrust, lack of empathy, and the breakdown of communication in the face of crisis.

## Where it surfaces

- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/ii): The crisis strains the marital relationship, with Sheila's distrust and Lawford's plea for support.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/iii): The strained interaction between Lawford and Sheila, her separate bed arrangement, and his hollow apology reveal deep domestic unease.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/v): Sheila's cold management of Lawford's finances and her emotional distance underscore the strain in their marriage.
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/viii): The chapter centers on the strained relationship between Lawford and Sheila, with arguments over his need to go out and her attempts to control him.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xiv): The chapter centers on the confrontation between Lawford and Sheila, revealing years of pretense, recrimination, and the breakdown of their marriage.

## Links

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