# XVI: Peace to Cranford explained — Cranford

> Chapter companion for Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell.

## What happens

The chapter describes the return of the Gordons to Cranford and the efforts of Mr. Peter to reconcile the divided society, culminating in a successful luncheon and evening entertainment that restores harmony.

## Themes in this chapter

### Community and Friendship

The chapter centers on the restoration of friendly sociability in Cranford, with Mr. Peter actively working to reconcile divided parties.

### Change vs. Tradition

Mr. Peter's modern, humorous approach challenges the rigid social codes of Cranford, leading to a new era of peace.

### Kindness and Moral Character

Miss Matty's love of peace and the characters' willingness to forgive past slights highlight the theme of kindness.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Matty Jenkyns

Miss Matty is central to the chapter; she writes to invite the narrator, delivers a note to Mrs. Fitz-Adam, and is concerned with peace and kindness.

### Mary Smith

The narrator receives letters from Miss Pole and Miss Matty, travels to Cranford, and observes the social dynamics and Mr. Peter's antics.

### Miss Pole

Miss Pole writes to the narrator, speculates about Mr. Peter and Mrs. Jamieson, and gives a party in Mr. Peter's honor.

### Mrs. Jamieson

Mrs. Jamieson is persuaded to attend the luncheon and later the magic show, and is the target of Mr. Peter's humorous stories.

### Mr. Peter Jenkyns

Mr. Peter orchestrates the reconciliation, arranges the magic show, tells tall tales to Mrs. Jamieson, and successfully brings the community together.

### Miss Jessie Brown

Now Mrs. Gordon, she writes to invite the Cranford ladies and returns with her family, showing continued kindness.

## Key lines

> I received two Cranford letters on one auspicious October morning. Both Miss Pole and Miss Matty wrote to ask me to come over and meet the Gordons, who had returned to England alive and well with their two children, now almost grown up.

The narrator gets letters from Miss Pole and Miss Matty inviting her to Cranford to see the Gordons, who have come back safely from abroad.

_Sets up the reunion and the central event of the chapter._

> Mr. Peter wound up his account by saying that, of course, at that altitude there were none of the animals to be found that existed in the lower regions; the game—everything was different. Firing one day at some flying creature, he was very much dismayed when it fell, to find that he had shot a cherubim!

Mr. Peter tells Mrs. Jamieson an absurd story about shooting a cherubim in the Himalayas, which she takes seriously.

_Illustrates Mr. Peter's playful manipulation of Mrs. Jamieson to keep her engaged and amused._

> Ever since that day there has been the old friendly sociability in Cranford society; which I am thankful for, because of my dear Miss Matty's love of peace and kindliness.

From that day onward, Cranford society returned to its former friendly state, which the narrator appreciates because Miss Matty values peace and kindness.

_Concludes the chapter with the restoration of harmony, emphasizing Miss Matty's influence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/chapters/xvi-peace-to-cranford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/chapters