# XI: A Feast—Conclusion explained — Greene Ferne Farm

> Chapter companion for Greene Ferne Farm by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Geoffrey is wounded in a duel with Valentine, but Felix staunches the wound and a doctor pronounces it not dangerous. Augustus Basset, the only witness, boasts of the event but is disbelieved. Geoffrey declares it an accident. Valentine, remorseful, confesses the truth to Felix and Squire Thorpe, and his jealousy dissolves. Margaret nurses Geoffrey, and a double wedding is arranged for autumn. Old Fisher's financial loss is revealed to be small, but his avarice drove him to despair. The chapter concludes with a grand feast and dance in the barn, celebrating the marriages of Margaret and Geoffrey, and May and Felix. Mrs. Estcourt feels a bittersweet sadness amid the joy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Community and Tradition

The barn feast and dance bring together all classes, celebrating the marriages with shared joy and rustic customs.

### Love and Romance

Margaret's devoted nursing of Geoffrey and the double wedding underscore the triumph of love over jealousy and adversity.

### Avarice and Moral Decay

Old Fisher's avarice over a small financial loss leads to his downfall, contrasting with the generosity of the wedding feast.

## Character check-ins

### Geoffrey Newton

Wounded in the duel; nursed by Margaret; recovers and marries her.

### Margaret Estcourt

Nurses Geoffrey with devotion; marries him; gives Basset credit for saving Geoffrey.

### Val Browne

Fights the duel, feels deep remorse; jealousy dissolves; sends wedding presents but does not attend.

### Augustus Basset

Witness to the duel; boasts but is disbelieved; later benefits from kindness and improves his behavior.

### Rev. Felix St. Bees

Staunches Geoffrey's wound; marries May Fisher.

### May Fisher

Faints at Geoffrey's arrival; marries Felix after her year of mourning.

## Key lines

> It was fortunate that Basset’s dislike of meeting Squire Thorpe caused Geoffrey to be conveyed to Greene Ferne, for Felix was there, and he had sufficient knowledge of surgery to staunch the wound.

Luckily, Basset's aversion to seeing Squire Thorpe led them to take Geoffrey to Greene Ferne, where Felix's surgical skills could stop the bleeding.

_Explains how Geoffrey received timely medical aid._

> The support afforded by her love enabled her to face the sight; but when there was nothing more that she could do, she burst into a flood of tears, yet still refused to leave the room.

Her love gave her strength to witness the wound, but once she had done all she could, she wept uncontrollably, though she stayed by his side.

_Highlights Margaret's emotional resilience and devotion._

> But having had lengthened experience of his imaginative powers, they totally refused to believe him now he spoke the truth.

Because they knew Basset's habit of exaggeration, no one believed his truthful account of the duel.

_Irony of Basset's reputation undermining his credibility._

> His jealousy and hatred disappeared, the old friendship returned, and he did all in his power to show it.

Valentine's jealousy and enmity vanished, his former friendship with Geoffrey revived, and he actively demonstrated his goodwill.

_Valentine's transformation after the duel._

> The old hags who robbed the house escaped punishment, though made to disgorge their plunder.

The elderly women who stole from the house were forced to return the goods but faced no legal consequences.

_Resolution of the theft subplot._

> So much does the mind affect the body, that the influence of kindness can even improve the condition of a drunkard.

Kindness has such a powerful effect on a person's well-being that it can help even a habitual drinker reform.

_Reflects on Basset's improvement through positive attention._

> The bats had now left the tiles of the barn, and were wheeling to and fro. But the band blew and fiddled, well refreshed by Augustus’s can, and the dancers whirled about yet more fast and furious.

As bats began to fly from the barn roof, the musicians, invigorated by Augustus's drinks, played even more energetically, and the dancing grew wilder.

_Atmospheric description of the evening celebration._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se/chapters/xi-a-feast-conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/greene_ferne_farm_se/chapters