Tribute from Oileymead explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Wealth and Financial Dependence

  Mr. Cheesacre's gifts highlight his wealth and his expectation that financial generosity will win Mrs. Greenow's favor.

• Female Autonomy and Identity

  Kate resists being used as a pawn in her aunt's romantic schemes, asserting her own will against Mrs. Greenow's manipulations.

Characters to notice

• Kate Vavasor

  Stays with Mrs. Greenow in Norwich, resists being used as a decoy for Mr. Cheesacre's courtship of her aunt.

• Mrs. Greenow

  Hosts Kate in Norwich, receives gifts from Mr. Cheesacre, and manipulates the situation to encourage his attentions.

• Mr. Cheesacre

  Sends regular tributes of food from Oileymead to Mrs. Greenow, courts her while pretending interest in Kate.

• Captain Bellfield

  Secretly visits Mrs. Greenow despite Cheesacre's attempts to keep him away; has obtained military employment in Norwich.

• Jeannette

  Mrs. Greenow's maid, acts as a confidante to Mr. Cheesacre and reports on the Captain's visits.

Key passages

• “Only think, that it is barely nine months since he was with me? Six, you mean, aunt, said Kate, unadvisedly. Only nine months! repeated Mrs. Greenow, as though she had not heard her niece.”

  Mrs. Greenow exaggerates the time since her husband's death, claiming nine months instead of six, and ignores Kate's correction.

  Shows Mrs. Greenow's self-deception about her mourning period.

• “What am I to do about it? said Mrs. Greenow, as Kate came into the sitting-room one morning, and saw on the table a small hamper lined with a clean cloth. It's as much as Jeannette has been able to carry.”

  Mrs. Greenow feigns helplessness over the large hamper of food Mr. Cheesacre has sent, though she clearly enjoys the attention.

  Illustrates the playful dynamic between aunt and niece regarding Cheesacre's courtship.