# Passion Versus Prudence explained — Can You Forgive Her?

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

## What happens

Alice returns home to find George Vavasor waiting for her. She is dismayed by his eagerness and struggles to respond to his demands for affection, feeling trapped by her engagement. George, motivated by financial need, suppresses his anger and refrains from breaking the engagement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Duty vs. Desire

Alice feels duty-bound to her engagement but desires freedom, while George desires love but is driven by financial prudence.

### Wealth and Financial Dependence

George's need for Alice's money is a central motive, influencing his decision to suppress his anger and maintain the engagement.

### Self-Deception and Moral Growth

Alice deceives herself about her feelings, and George rationalizes his pursuit of money over genuine affection.

## Character check-ins

### Alice Vavasor

Alice is panic-stricken and dismayed by George's early visit, feeling repugnance and struggling to express love.

### George Vavasor

George arrives in brighter attire, demands affection from Alice, but is motivated by financial need and suppresses his anger.

### Kate Vavasor

Kate is mentioned as having informed George of Alice's return.

## Key lines

> It had not occurred to Alice that her accepted lover would come to her so soon.

Alice was surprised by George's early arrival.

_Highlights Alice's unpreparedness for the encounter._

> He had had his triumph when, in the solitude of his own room, with quiet sarcasm he had thrown on one side of him the letter in which she had accepted him, as though the matter had been one almost indifferent to him.

George had already savored his victory privately, treating Alice's acceptance with indifference.

_Reveals George's calculated and detached attitude._

> If you wish to retract your letter to me, you now have my leave to do so.

George offers Alice a chance to break the engagement.

_Shows George's testing of Alice's commitment, though he does not truly want her to accept._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxv-passion-versus-prudence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters