Brown on Resolution · Chapter
VII explained
After the birth of her child, Agatha Brown blossoms into a stately, Junoesque woman.
What happens
After the birth of her child, Agatha Brown blossoms into a stately, Junoesque woman. She attracts the attention of Mr. Gold, a timid schoolmaster who begins visiting her home. Agatha considers marrying him for the sake of her son Albert's future, but when Mr. Gold reveals his pacifist and anti-Navy views, she is horrified and banishes him. Mr. Gold later takes out his frustration on Albert at school.
Themes in this chapter
Motherhood and Ambition
Agatha's primary concern is the effect a stepfather would have on Albert's future, leading her to reject Mr. Gold.
Duty and Self-Sacrifice
Agatha's fierce loyalty to the British Navy and her son's naval ambitions overrides her personal feelings for Mr. Gold.
Individual vs. Institution
Mr. Gold's pacifist individualism clashes with Agatha's institutional patriotism, embodied by the Navy.
Characters to notice
- Agatha Brown
Now a full-figured, queenly mother, she briefly considers marrying Mr. Gold but rejects him upon hearing his anti-Navy opinions.
- Albert Brown
Young Albert is influenced by his mother's ideas; he is grateful to Mr. Gold for tending a cut but later receives an unjust beating from him.
- Mr. Gold
A timid, refined schoolmaster who courts Agatha but is rejected after expressing pacifist and anti-Navy views; he later punishes Albert out of spite.
- Mrs. Rodgers
Agatha's housekeeper, who admires Agatha's queenly demeanor and faithfully turns Mr. Gold away.
Key passages
“With the birth of her child Agatha suddenly entered upon a wonderful late blooming, like the blossoming of an autumn rose.”
After giving birth, Agatha experienced a beautiful late flourishing, akin to a rose blooming in autumn.
Describes Agatha's physical and personal transformation after motherhood.
“Mr. Gold in conversation often made great play with remarks about 'leading boys instead of driving them' and 'kindliness always tells in the long run,' and this, it is to be feared, were outward signs of an inward timidity.”
Mr. Gold frequently spoke of gentle guidance and kindness, but these phrases actually revealed his inner cowardice.
Highlights Mr. Gold's weak character hidden behind educational platitudes.
“Agatha actually began to calculate what effect a marriage with Mr. Gold might have upon her cherished ambition for Albert, and she decided it would be a good one.”
Agatha considered how marrying Mr. Gold would impact her plans for Albert's future and concluded it would be beneficial.
Shows Agatha's pragmatic approach to relationships, prioritizing her son's prospects.
“Fancy a world without a British Navy! It was dreadful.”
Imagining a world without the British Navy was horrifying to Agatha.
Reflects Agatha's deep patriotic attachment to the Navy.