# Monkshade explained — Can You Forgive Her?

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

## What happens

Lady Glencora falls ill and is unable to visit Monkshade, so Mr. Palliser goes alone. There, he cements a political alliance with Sir Cosmo Monk and is introduced to Burgo Fitzgerald, who openly expresses regret at Lady Glencora's absence. Lady Monk confronts Burgo about his feelings for the married woman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Burgo Fitzgerald's lingering passion for the married Lady Glencora threatens her marriage and reputation.

### Duty vs. Desire

Lady Glencora struggles between her duty as a wife and her desire to avoid Burgo, while Mr. Palliser insists she must 'live down' her fears.

### Politics and Public Life

Mr. Palliser's visit to Monkshade serves to strengthen his political standing with Sir Cosmo Monk.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Glencora Palliser

Feigns illness to avoid visiting Monkshade, after confessing her fears to Miss Palliser.

### Plantagenet Palliser

Visits Monkshade alone, cements political alliance with Sir Cosmo, and meets Burgo Fitzgerald.

### Burgo Fitzgerald

Already at Monkshade, reacts with despair upon learning Lady Glencora will not come, and confronts his aunt.

### Lady Monk

Arranges the visit, introduces Burgo to Mr. Palliser, and warns Burgo about his behavior.

### Miss Euphemia Palliser

Attempts to warn Lady Glencora about the dangers of visiting Monkshade.

### Sir Cosmo Monk

Hosts Mr. Palliser at Monkshade and forms a political understanding with him.

### George Vavasor

Mentioned as having provided pecuniary assistance to Burgo Fitzgerald.

## Key lines

> She had taught herself to think that they were hard, stiff, and too proud of bearing the name of Palliser.

Lady Glencora believed her husband's cousins were cold and overly proud of their family name.

_Describes Lady Glencora's perception of the Miss Pallisers._

> He told me, in answer, that it was a silly folly which I must live down, and that it did not become me to be afraid of any man.

Mr. Palliser dismissed her concerns as foolish and insisted she should not fear any man.

_Mr. Palliser's response to Lady Glencora's confession about avoiding Monkshade._

> Lady Monk took an occasion to introduce Mr. Palliser to Burgo Fitzgerald; with what object it is difficult to say, unless she was anxious to make mischief between the men.

Lady Monk deliberately introduced Mr. Palliser to Burgo Fitzgerald, possibly to cause trouble.

_Highlights Lady Monk's potential ulterior motives._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxiii-monkshade
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters