# The Pallisers at Breakfast explained — Can You Forgive Her?

> Chapter companion for Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The morning after Lady Monk's party, Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora have a tense breakfast. Glencora, having spent the night in despair over her marriage and her love for Burgo Fitzgerald, is defiant yet miserable. Palliser, more concerned with politics than jealousy, reluctantly confronts her about her behavior, but their conversation is strained and unresolved.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Glencora's marriage to Palliser is depicted as loveless and sacrificial, while her passion for Burgo Fitzgerald represents a forbidden love that she knows is doomed.

### Duty vs. Desire

Glencora struggles between her marital duties and her desire for Burgo. Palliser, too, is torn between his political duties and the unpleasant task of confronting his wife.

### Politics and Public Life

Palliser is deeply absorbed in political news and ambitions, which he prioritizes over personal matters, highlighting the intersection of public life and private duty.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Glencora Palliser

Sits alone by the fire after the party, contemplating her miserable marriage and her love for Burgo Fitzgerald. At breakfast, she is defiant and mocking, but internally she feels lost and sacrificed.

### Plantagenet Palliser

Prefers reading political news to confronting his wife. He is reluctant to discuss the events of the previous night, finding the task odious, but feels compelled to speak after Glencora's defiance.

### Burgo Fitzgerald

Mentioned in Glencora's thoughts as the man she loves, though she acknowledges his unworthiness. He disappeared from the scene after the party.

### Mrs. Marsham

Followed Mr. Palliser to his house after the party to report Glencora's behavior with Burgo. Glencora declares she will never see her again.

### Mr. Bott

Acted as a spy at the party, standing at doors and glaring at Glencora. He later comforts himself with champagne. Glencora also declares she will not see him again.

## Key lines

> For herself, she had been sacrificed; and—as she told herself with bitter denunciations against herself—had been sacrificed through her own weakness.

Glencora believes she has been ruined by her own lack of resolve.

_Reflects her self-blame and despair over her marriage._

> He was not jealous; he was indeed incapable of jealousy. He knew what it would be to be dishonoured, and he knew that under certain circumstances the world would expect him to exert himself in a certain way.

Palliser is not jealous but is concerned about public dishonor and social expectations.

_Highlights his pragmatic, unemotional approach to marital issues._

> I'd sooner be scolded. Advice is to anger just what cold anger is to hot.

Glencora prefers direct confrontation over measured criticism.

_Shows her defiant and spirited nature in the face of her husband's hesitation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lviii-the-pallisers-at-breakfast
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