Black Beauty · Chapter
My Last Home explained
Black Beauty is taken on trial by three sisters, Miss Blomefield, Miss Ellen, and Miss Lavinia, after being recommended by Mr.
What happens
Black Beauty is taken on trial by three sisters, Miss Blomefield, Miss Ellen, and Miss Lavinia, after being recommended by Mr. Thoroughgood. Despite his blemished knees, Miss Ellen takes a liking to him. The groom, Joe Green, recognizes Beauty from his time at Birtwick Park and is overjoyed. Beauty is accepted into his new home, where he is treated kindly, and his story ends with him feeling safe and content.
Themes in this chapter
Kindness and Empathy
Joe Green's joyful recognition and promise of good treatment, along with the sisters' eventual acceptance, demonstrate the theme of kindness and empathy toward animals.
The Importance of a Good Character
Mr. Thoroughgood's recommendation and the sisters' decision to keep Beauty despite his blemished knees emphasize that a horse's true worth lies in its character and behavior, not its appearance.
Characters to notice
- Black Beauty
The narrator and protagonist, now in his final home, recognized by Joe Green and given a peaceful life.
- Joe Green
Now a grown man and groom, he recognizes Black Beauty by his markings and is overjoyed to be reunited with him.
- Miss Ellen
One of the three sisters who takes a liking to Black Beauty and decides to try him out.
- Miss Lavinia
The pale, nervous sister who is initially hesitant about riding behind a horse that has been down.
- Miss Blomefield
The stately sister who trusts Mr. Thoroughgood's recommendation and agrees to the trial.
Key passages
“I wonder who the rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won’t be my fault if you haven’t good times of it now.”
Joe Green wonders who caused Beauty's knee injury and vows to ensure Beauty's future is happy.
Joe expresses sympathy for Beauty's past suffering and commits to providing a good life.
“My troubles are all over, and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the apple trees.”
Beauty's hardships have ended, and he feels at home, often dreaming of his happy days at Birtwick Park.
Beauty reflects on his peaceful final home and nostalgic memories of his earlier life.