# XII explained — Amaryllis at the Fair

> Chapter companion for Amaryllis at the Fair by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Amaryllis attends Grandfather Iden's annual dinner, where she feels scrutinized and undervalued by her relatives. She reflects on her status as the only Miss Iden and heiress, while her father's absence highlights the family rift. Grandfather Iden's eccentricities, including his diet of pork and superstitions, are detailed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Conflict and Misunderstanding

The deep rift between Grandfather Iden and his son is evident; relatives hope for disinheritance; Amaryllis feels surrounded by enemies.

### Social Class and Money

Amaryllis's status as heiress and the importance of the spade guineas drive family dynamics; seating arrangement reflects hierarchy.

## Character check-ins

### Amaryllis Iden

Feels stared at and quizzed by relatives; tries to assert her status as heiress and only Miss Iden; sits low at the table and is displeased; hopes her father will arrive.

### Grandfather Iden

Dines alone on pork; keeps a peacock feather despite superstition; has not signed a will; eats pig-meat daily and walks early in the morning.

### Mr. Iden

Absent from the dinner; his empty chair is a sign of the gulf between him and his father; sends apples for sauce to Grandfather Iden.

## Key lines

> Amaryllis was aware how they all stared at her and quizzed her over and over; her hair, her face, her form, but most of all her dress.

Amaryllis felt the relatives scrutinizing every part of her appearance, especially her outdated dress.

_Highlights her discomfort and the family's focus on material status._

> If the son were disinherited, consider the enormous profit to the rest of them!

The relatives would greatly benefit if Grandfather Iden disinherited his only son.

_Reveals the greed and conflict within the family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/amaryllis_at_the_fair_se/chapters