# Frank Gresham's Early Loves explained — Doctor Thorne > Chapter companion for Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens The chapter details the de Courcy family's schemes to secure a wealthy marriage for Frank Gresham, particularly with Miss Dunstable, while Frank himself is entangled in his affections for Mary Thorne. Lady Arabella and the Countess de Courcy plot to send Frank to Courcy Castle to pursue Miss Dunstable, fearing his growing attachment to Mary. Meanwhile, Frank has declared his love to Mary, who rebuffs him gently but firmly, aware of the social barriers between them. The chapter also explores Mary's internal reflections on gentility and merit, and the contrasting values of the Gresham and de Courcy families. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Marriage The chapter centers on the de Courcys' and Lady Arabella's efforts to secure a wealthy marriage for Frank, contrasting with Frank's genuine but socially unsuitable attachment to Mary Thorne. ### Pride and Prejudice Mary's internal debate about what makes a gentleman or gentlewoman, and her pride in her uncle's blood, reflects the novel's exploration of pride and social prejudice. ### Inheritance and Wealth Miss Dunstable's inheritance of over two hundred thousand pounds from her father's ointment business is the central lure for the de Courcys, highlighting the importance of wealth in marriage negotiations. ## Character check-ins ### Frank Gresham Frank is the heir of Greshamsbury, pursued by his family for a wealthy marriage, but he has declared his love to Mary Thorne, though she has rejected his advances. ### Mary Thorne Mary is the object of Frank's affections, but she rebuffs him, aware of the social and familial pressures, and reflects on the nature of gentility and merit. ### Lady Arabella de Courcy Lady Arabella is anxious about Frank's attachment to Mary and conspires with the Countess to send him to Courcy Castle to pursue Miss Dunstable. ### Beatrice Gresham Beatrice is Mary's confidante, who has unwittingly encouraged Frank and Mary's early flirtations, though she values blood and family honour. ### Augusta Gresham Augusta defends her brother Frank against the de Courcys' criticisms, but is herself conscious of her own marriage to a tailor's son. ### Miss Dunstable Miss Dunstable is the wealthy heiress the de Courcys intend for Frank, though she is not present in the chapter. ## Key lines > only marry money, but do so very early in life; there was always danger in delay. The de Courcy family believes that one should marry for wealth and do so quickly, as delaying could lead to undesirable matches. _This reflects the family's pragmatic and mercenary view of marriage._ > If she were born a gentlewoman, then was she fit to match with any gentleman. Mary believes that if she is of gentle birth, she is worthy of any gentleman, regardless of his wealth. _This shows Mary's internal conflict between democratic merit and aristocratic inheritance._ > Women grow on the sunny side of the wall. Women mature faster than men, implying Mary must be more thoughtful and cautious than Frank in matters of love. _This explains Mary's more reserved response to Frank's declarations._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/vi-frank-gresham-s-early-loves - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters