Can You Forgive Her? · Chapter
LVI: Another Walk on the Fells explained
George Vavasor reveals to Kate that their grandfather's will leaves the estate to their uncle John Vavasor, not to George, and that Kate is to receive an annuity.
What happens
George Vavasor reveals to Kate that their grandfather's will leaves the estate to their uncle John Vavasor, not to George, and that Kate is to receive an annuity. George pressures Kate to claim the old man was mentally unfit when making the will, but she refuses. Their confrontation escalates into violence as George shakes and then pushes Kate to the ground before walking away across the fell.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Forgiveness
George feels betrayed by his grandfather's will and by Kate's refusal to support his claim, leading to a violent confrontation.
Duty vs. Desire
Kate struggles between her desire to help her brother and her duty to tell the truth about her grandfather's mental state.
Characters to notice
- George Vavasor
Furious about the will, he pressures Kate to support his claim of mental incompetence and physically assaults her when she refuses.
- Kate Vavasor
Defends her grandfather's mental clarity, refuses to lie for George, and is pushed to the ground during their argument.
- Alice Vavasor
Mentioned by Kate as she reflects on her earlier efforts to defend George to Alice, and by George in his threats.
- John Grey
Kate thinks of him with regret, realizing her earlier attempts to raise George's character in Alice's eyes were in vain.
- Mr. John Vavasor
The uncle to whom the estate is left; George accuses him of collusion.
Key passages
“If the will is as you say, George, I will make over my right to you.”
Kate offers to transfer any inheritance she might receive to George.
Kate's attempt to maintain loyalty to her brother despite the will's terms.
“You can make over nothing. The old robber has been too cunning for that; he has left it all in the hands of my uncle John.”
George explains that the estate is left to their uncle, not to Kate, so she cannot give it to him.
George's bitterness over the will's provisions.
“I will say nothing of the kind that you want me to say. My grandfather, up to the latest moment that I saw him, knew what he was about.”
Kate refuses to claim her grandfather was mentally unfit when he made the will.
Kate's moral stand against George's pressure.