Matrimonial Prospects explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Marriage

  The Countess de Courcy pressures Frank to marry Miss Dunstable for her wealth to restore Greshamsbury's status, highlighting marriage as a tool for social and financial preservation.

• Pride and Prejudice

  Mary Thorne's internal conflict between her democratic ideals and her own admiration for noble lineage reflects the theme of pride and prejudice.

• Inheritance and Wealth

  The financial troubles of Greshamsbury and the need for Frank to marry money underscore the theme of inheritance and wealth.

• Love vs. Duty

  Frank's love for Mary clashes with his duty to restore the family estate, as urged by his aunt.

Characters to notice

• Mary Thorne

  Wrestles with pride and social inferiority after Frank's offer; refuses to be Augusta's bridesmaid; feels jealousy seeing Patience Oriel talk to Frank.

• Frank Gresham

  Pressured by his aunt to marry Miss Dunstable for money; resists but agrees to visit Courcy Castle; privately reaffirms his love for Mary to Beatrice.

• Countess de Courcy

  Urges Frank to marry Miss Dunstable to restore Greshamsbury's importance; arranges his visit to Courcy Castle.

• Beatrice Gresham

  Frank confides in her about his love for Mary; she listens but considers it nonsense.

• Augusta Gresham

  Mary refuses to be her bridesmaid; Frank tries to get her to keep his secret but she refuses.

• Patience Oriel

  Mary observes her talking to Frank, causing jealousy.

• Lady Margaretta de Courcy

  Mary drives her out of the room during a conversation about the word 'humble'.

Key passages

• “She said to herself, proudly, that God's handiwork was the inner man, the inner woman, the naked creature animated by a living soul; that all other adjuncts were but man's clothing for the creature; all others, whether stitched by tailors or contrived by kings.”

  Mary told herself that a person's true worth comes from their soul, not from social status or ancestry.

  Mary's internal struggle with pride and social prejudice.

• “If you wish to hold up your head in the country; if you wish to represent your county in Parliament, as has been done by your father, your grandfather, and your great-grandfathers; if you wish to keep a house over your head, and to leave Greshamsbury to your son after you, you must marry money.”

  The countess tells Frank that to maintain the family's political and social standing, he must marry a wealthy woman.

  The countess's pragmatic view of marriage as a financial necessity.