Barnaby Rudge · Chapter
Chapter 32 explained
Edward Chester and his father, Sir John Chester, have a tense dinner conversation.
What happens
Edward Chester and his father, Sir John Chester, have a tense dinner conversation. Sir John mocks Edward's emotional sincerity and advises him to be pragmatic about love and marriage, referencing Emma Haredale's rejection. Edward accuses his father of interfering and declares his independence. Sir John disowns him, and Edward leaves the house forever. The chapter ends with a note that five years pass in silence.
Themes in this chapter
Manipulation and Exploitation
Sir John Chester manipulates Edward's emotions and uses his influence to separate him from Emma, showing his exploitative nature.
Social Injustice and Class
The conversation highlights class-based views on marriage and the pressure to maintain gentility and pride.
Characters to notice
- Edward Chester
Confronts his father about his interference in his relationship with Emma, defends his principles, and is disowned.
- Sir John Chester
Mocks Edward's sentimentality, advises pragmatism, and disowns him with a curse.
- Emma Haredale
Referenced as the cause of the conflict; her rejection of Edward is discussed.
- Peak
Servant who is instructed to deny Edward entry to the house.
Key passages
“Misfortunes, saith the adage, never come singly.”
Troubles often come in groups.
Opening line reflecting the theme of accumulating misfortunes.
“Wine in moderation—not in excess, for that makes men ugly—has a thousand pleasant influences.”
Moderate drinking has many benefits, but excess makes one unattractive.
Sir John's advice to Edward, showing his superficial values.
“The heart is an ingenious part of our formation—the centre of the blood-vessels and all that sort of thing—which has no more to do with what you say or think, than your knees have.”
The heart is just a physical organ and has nothing to do with emotions or thoughts.
Sir John's cynical view of emotion.
“Marriage is a civil contract; people marry to better their worldly condition and improve appearances; it is an affair of house and furniture, of liveries, servants, equipage, and so forth.”
Marriage is a practical arrangement for social and material gain, not for love.
Sir John's pragmatic view of marriage.
“Return to this roof no more, I beg you. Go, sir, since you have no moral sense remaining; and go to the Devil, at my express desire.”
Leave this house forever and go to hell, as you have no morals.
Sir John disowns Edward.