Daniel Deronda · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Deronda arranges a visit to Diplow, where Grandcourt anticipates displaying his mastery over Gwendolen.
What happens
Deronda arranges a visit to Diplow, where Grandcourt anticipates displaying his mastery over Gwendolen. Gwendolen rationalizes her acceptance of Grandcourt despite his past with Mrs. Glasher, convincing herself she can manage him and that her marriage will do no wrong. Grandcourt enjoys the challenge of subduing her pride. Lush writes to Sir Hugo suggesting Deronda act as intermediary to propose a financial settlement for Grandcourt's renunciation of Diplow.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Gender Roles
Gwendolen views marriage as a domain of management and power, while Grandcourt relishes mastering her pride, highlighting the dynamics of control in Victorian matrimony.
Power and Control
Grandcourt enjoys the mastery of a reluctant bride; Gwendolen schemes to assert her own power, and Lush maneuvers behind the scenes to influence financial decisions.
Characters to notice
- Daniel Deronda
Writes to announce his visit to Diplow; Sir Hugo hands him Lush's letter.
- Henleigh Grandcourt
Anticipates Deronda's visit with pleasure, seeing it as a chance to display his mastery; engages in a teasing exchange with Gwendolen about marriage.
- Gwendolen Harleth
Rationalizes her engagement to Grandcourt, convincing herself she will do no wrong to Mrs. Glasher; feels a load lifted and plans to manage her marriage.
- Lush
Writes to Sir Hugo suggesting Deronda act as intermediary to propose a financial settlement to Grandcourt.
- Sir Hugo Mallinger
Receives Lush's letter at breakfast and hands it to Deronda.
Key passages
“Grandcourt himself was not jealous of anything unless it threatened his mastery—which he did not think himself likely to lose.”
Grandcourt only felt jealousy when his control was at risk, and he was confident that wouldn't happen.
Reveals Grandcourt's core motivation: maintaining dominance.
“Poor Gwendolen had no awe of unmanageable forces in the state of matrimony, but regarded it as altogether a matter of management, in which she would know how to act.”
Gwendolen saw marriage not as something mysterious but as a situation she could control and navigate skillfully.
Highlights Gwendolen's naive confidence in her ability to manage her marriage.
“On the whole, Grandcourt got more pleasure out of this notion than he could have done out of winning a girl of whom he was sure that she had a strong inclination for him personally.”
Grandcourt enjoyed the challenge of overcoming Gwendolen's resistance more than he would have liked a woman who was already devoted to him.
Illustrates Grandcourt's preference for dominating a reluctant partner.