# Poor Peter explained — Cranford

> Chapter companion for Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell.

## What happens

Miss Matty recounts the story of her brother Peter's childhood prank of dressing in their sister Deborah's clothes, which led to their father publicly flogging him. Peter then ran away to sea, causing their mother to die of a broken heart. Peter later returned as a lieutenant, but after going to India, he was never heard from again. The chapter ends with Miss Matty hearing a strange noise outside, which the narrator suspects is kissing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Women's Independence

Peter's prank of dressing in women's clothing subverts gender norms, and the severe punishment reflects the rigid gender expectations of the time.

### Death and Mortality

The death of Peter's mother from a broken heart after he runs away, and the subsequent mourning rituals, underscore the theme of mortality.

### Change vs. Tradition

The family's decline from the rectory to a small house after the father's death illustrates the tension between changing circumstances and maintaining genteel traditions.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Matty Jenkyns

Narrates the story of her brother Peter's prank and its aftermath, showing her deep emotional connection to the events.

### Mr. Peter Jenkyns

The subject of the story; his childhood prank of cross-dressing led to a public flogging and his running away to sea.

### Miss Deborah Jenkyns

Peter's sister whose clothes he borrowed for the prank; she is described as serious and disapproving of his jokes.

### Mary Smith

The listener to Miss Matty's story, prompting her with questions and observing her emotional state.

### Martha

Sent on an errand by Miss Matty to fetch eggs, and later returns, causing Miss Matty to hear a strange noise.

### Jem Hearn

Mentioned as being willing to accompany Martha on her errand.

## Key lines

> At last there was a terrible, sad thing happened.

Eventually, a very distressing event occurred.

_Miss Matty introduces the pivotal incident of Peter's prank._

> My poor father! When he came nearer, he began to wonder that they did not see him; but their heads were all so close together, peeping and peeping!

My poor father! As he approached, he wondered why they didn't notice him, but their heads were all clustered together, peering intently.

_Describes the father's confusion before discovering Peter's prank._

> She shall be buried in it,' he said; 'Peter shall have that comfort; and she would have liked it.

He declared that she would be buried in the shawl, saying Peter would have that comfort and that she would have wanted it.

_The father's decision to bury his wife in the shawl Peter sent from India._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/chapters/vi-poor-peter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/chapters