Can You Forgive Her? · Chapter
Showing How the Wild Beast Got Himself Back from the Mountains explained
Kate Vavasor, recovering from her broken arm, reflects on her brother George's violent attack and the end of her devotion to him.
What happens
Kate Vavasor, recovering from her broken arm, reflects on her brother George's violent attack and the end of her devotion to him. She resolves to never see him again. John Vavasor and Mr. Round handle the estate matters, confirming the will's validity. Mrs. Greenow stays at the Hall, hinting that Kate's fortune makes her independent. Meanwhile, George Vavasor walks through rain and mud from the mountains to Shap, cursing his family and his misfortunes, determined to return to London and extract money from Alice.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Forgiveness
Kate feels betrayed by George's violence and meanness; she cannot forgive the blow and abandons her lifelong devotion to him.
Wealth and Financial Dependence
Kate's inheritance of six hundred a year gives her independence, altering her marriage prospects and freeing her from the need to accept Mr. Cheesacre.
Characters to notice
- Kate Vavasor
Reflects on her brother's violence and her shattered devotion; resolves to never see him again; considers her future with her inheritance.
- George Vavasor
Walks across the mountains in the rain, cursing his family and fate; plans to return to London to get money from Alice.
- Mrs. Greenow
Stays at the Hall to care for Kate; speaks of Mr. Cheesacre as a suitor but no longer insists on the match; acknowledges Kate's financial independence.
- Mr. John Vavasor
Visits Westmoreland to handle estate matters; discusses the will with Mr. Round; promises to convey Kate's invitation to Alice.
- Alice Vavasor
Mentioned as the recipient of Kate's invitation to visit Westmoreland; George plans to seek money from her.
Key passages
“It is very sad to abandon the only object of a life! It is very hard to tear out from one’s heart and fling away from it the only love that one has cherished!”
Letting go of the sole purpose of one's existence is deeply painful, especially when it means discarding a cherished love.
Narrator reflects on Kate's emotional struggle after George's betrayal.
“A woman may forgive deceit, treachery, desertion—even the preference given to a rival. She may forgive them and forget them; but I do not think that a woman can forget a blow.”
While a woman might overlook lies, betrayal, or abandonment, physical violence leaves an indelible mark that cannot be forgiven or forgotten.
Narrator comments on the irreparable damage of George's physical attack on Kate.
“What are five miles of a walk to a young man, even though the rain be falling and the ways be dirty? what, though they may come after some other ten that he has already traversed on his feet?”
A five-mile walk in the rain and mud should be trivial for a young man, even after ten miles already walked, but George's misery makes it unbearable.
Narrator contrasts George's physical weakness and despair with the resilience of his sister Kate.