# The Widow's Suitors explained — Barchester Towers

> Chapter companion for Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mr. Slope learns of Mrs. Bold's fortune from Mr. Quiverful and begins to consider marrying her for her money, while simultaneously the Stanhopes scheme to have Bertie Stanhope court Eleanor for the same reason. The author assures the reader that Eleanor will not marry either suitor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Courtship

Both Mr. Slope and Bertie Stanhope view marriage to Eleanor as a financial transaction, with love and personal compatibility entirely absent from their calculations.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity

Mr. Slope rationalizes his pursuit of Eleanor's fortune as a 'godly work' and a Christian duty, revealing his self-deception and moral hypocrisy.

### Clerical Corruption and Patronage

The hospital appointment is used as a bargaining chip in Mr. Slope's calculations, and Mr. Quiverful is willing to accept any conditions for preferment, illustrating the corrupting influence of patronage.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Slope

Considers marrying Eleanor Bold for her twelve hundred a year, weighing the advantages against his professional ambitions and antipathy to Archdeacon Grantly.

### Eleanor Bold

The wealthy widow who is the object of schemes by both Mr. Slope and Bertie Stanhope.

### Mr. Quiverful

The needy vicar of Puddingdale who reveals Mrs. Bold's fortune to Mr. Slope while angling for the hospital appointment.

### Bertie Stanhope

Idle and without profession, he is persuaded by his sister Charlotte to court Eleanor Bold for her money.

### Charlotte Stanhope

Scheming sister who encourages Bertie to marry Eleanor Bold to secure his future.

### Signora Neroni

Madeline joins Charlotte in urging Bertie to marry Mrs. Bold for her fortune.

## Key lines

> His conscience had not a word to say against his choosing the widow and her fortune. That he looked upon as a godly work rather than otherwise; as a deed which, if carried through, would redound to his credit as a Christian.

Mr. Slope felt no moral qualms about marrying Eleanor for her money; he considered it a pious act that would enhance his reputation.

_Highlights Mr. Slope's self-justifying hypocrisy._

> Twelve hundred a year of her own! said Slope, and very shortly afterwards took his leave, avoiding, as far as it was possible for him to do, any further allusion to the hospital.

Upon hearing that Mrs. Bold had twelve hundred pounds a year, Mr. Slope quickly left, steering the conversation away from the hospital appointment.

_Shows Mr. Slope's immediate shift in priorities upon learning of Eleanor's wealth._

> I wonder, Bertie, at your indifference; that you, with your talents and personal advantages, should never try to settle yourself in life.

Charlotte expresses frustration that Bertie, despite his abilities and charm, makes no effort to secure his future.

_Charlotte's pragmatic concern for Bertie's lack of ambition._

> Our doctrine is that the author and the reader should move along together in full confidence with each other.

The author believes the reader should be trusted with the outcome of the story, not kept in suspense.

_Trollope's narrative aside explaining his approach to storytelling._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xv-the-widow-s-suitors
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters