# The Small End of the Wedge explained — Doctor Thorne

> Chapter companion for Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Frank Gresham is sent away for a year under a compact that forbids correspondence with Mary Thorne. During his absence, Sir Louis Scatcherd attempts to court Mary but is firmly rejected, after which he returns to heavy drinking. Mary returns to Greshamsbury but is socially ostracized by Lady Arabella, who spreads the engagement publicly to shame her. Dr. Thorne is also alienated from the Greshamsbury household. Lady Arabella falls ill, and after consultations with Dr. Fillgrave and Sir Omicron Pie, Sir Omicron advises recalling Dr. Thorne, leading to a tense scene between the squire and Lady Arabella.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Marriage

Mary Thorne is socially ostracized due to her low birth and engagement to Frank Gresham, highlighting the class barriers to their union.

### Pride and Prejudice

Lady Arabella's pride and prejudice against Dr. Thorne and Mary drive the wedge between families, while Dr. Fillgrave's professional pride prevents cooperation.

### Addiction and Moral Decline

Sir Louis Scatcherd's rejection by Mary leads him to increased drinking, continuing his moral and physical decline.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Gresham

Absent from Greshamsbury for twelve months and a day under a compact not to correspond with Mary.

### Mary Thorne

Returns to Greshamsbury after Frank's departure but is socially shunned by Lady Arabella's influence; rejects Sir Louis Scatcherd's advances.

### Dr. Thomas Thorne

Suffers from the estrangement with the Greshamsbury family; considers leaving the area; is eventually recommended by Sir Omicron Pie to attend Lady Arabella.

### Lady Arabella de Courcy

Actively works to sever ties between Dr. Thorne and the Greshamsbury household; falls ill and reluctantly faces the need to recall Dr. Thorne.

### Louis Scatcherd

Attempts to court Mary Thorne but is firmly rejected; returns to heavy drinking in London.

### Dr. Fillgrave

Refuses to meet Dr. Thorne professionally, citing past conduct; attends Lady Arabella but is later superseded by Sir Omicron Pie's advice.

## Key lines

> Frank Gresham was absent from Greshamsbury twelve months and a day: a day is always added to the period of such absences, as shown in the history of Lord Bateman and other noble heroes.

Frank was away for exactly one year and one day, a traditional extra day often added in tales of exile.

_The narrator humorously compares Frank's absence to that of a legendary hero._

> He certainly did not get nearly so far as putting his hand even upon her knee before he was made to understand that it 'was no go,' as he graphically described it to his mother.

Sir Louis was rebuffed before he could even touch Mary's knee, and he later reported to his mother that his attempt failed.

_Mary firmly rejects Sir Louis's advances._

> We have all heard of the little end of the wedge, and we have most of us an idea that the little end is the difficulty.

Everyone knows that starting a separation is the hardest part, like inserting the thin end of a wedge.

_Metaphor for Lady Arabella's initial success in driving Dr. Thorne away._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxi-the-small-end-of-the-wedge
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters