Dr. Wortle’s School · Chapter
X: The Doctor’s Answer explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Peacocke receives a letter from San Francisco with evidence of her first husband's death, and she informs Mrs. Wortle that Mr. Peacocke will return within a week or ten days. Meanwhile, the Wortle family is preoccupied with Lord Bracy's proposal for Mary. Mary is anxious about the decision, and her mother is torn between the prospect of greatness and the fear of a broken engagement. Eventually, Dr. Wortle decides to accept the proposal and writes a letter to Lord Bracy, expressing his willingness to consider the match despite the risks.
Themes in this chapter
Love vs. Social Convention
Mary's feelings for Lord Carstairs are entangled with the social advantages of the match, and her mother weighs the potential for greatness against the risk of heartbreak.
Class and Privilege
The Wortles consider the title, revenue, and social elevation that a marriage to Lord Carstairs would bring, acknowledging the allure of such advantages.
Moral Hypocrisy
Mrs. Peacocke reflects on the harsh judgment of others, contrasting their hardness with her own suffering, and notes the generosity of the Wortles.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Peacocke
Receives evidence of her first husband's death and shares the news with Mrs. Wortle, expressing her blighted life and hope for Mr. Peacocke's relief.
- Mrs. Wortle
Visits Mrs. Peacocke and is torn between her daughter's potential greatness and the fear of a broken engagement.
- Mary Wortle
Anxious about the decision regarding Lord Carstairs' proposal, she consults her mother and father, ultimately leaving the decision to her father.
- Dr. Wortle
Decides to accept Lord Bracy's proposal and writes a letter expressing his willingness despite the acknowledged dangers.
Key passages
“The strangest thing of all to me is that I should have come across one man so generous as your husband, and one woman so softhearted as yourself.”
Mrs. Peacocke is amazed to have found such kindness in Dr. and Mrs. Wortle.
Expresses her gratitude and surprise at their compassion.
“Was her girl to become the wife of a young lord—to be a future countess? Was she destined to be the mother-in-law of an earl?”
Mrs. Wortle dreams of the social elevation her daughter would achieve by marrying Lord Carstairs.
Highlights her ambition for her daughter's future.
“I am almost as dead to hope as I am to shame.”
Mrs. Peacocke feels she has lost all hope and is numb to shame.
Reflects her despair and resignation.