# LXXX: “Will They Despise Him?” explained — He Knew He Was Right

> Chapter companion for He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Caroline Spalding, anxious about whether Mr. Glascock's family and society will despise him for marrying an American, confides in Nora Rowley. Nora advises her to speak directly to Mr. Glascock rather than break the engagement. Meanwhile, Lady Rowley's mistaken belief that Mr. Glascock is engaged to Wallachia Petrie is corrected, causing her embarrassment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Professional Identity

Caroline fears that Mr. Glascock's marriage to an American will cause social humiliation and disgrace his family.

### Social Reputation and Gossip

Florence society discusses the engagement, with Lady Rowley and the British Minister's wife expressing disapproval.

## Character check-ins

### Caroline Spalding

Seeks reassurance from Nora about whether Mr. Glascock will be despised for marrying her.

### Nora Rowley

Advises Caroline to speak to Mr. Glascock and defends the marriage against her mother's objections.

### Lady Rowley

Embarrassed after realizing she confused Caroline Spalding with Wallachia Petrie as Mr. Glascock's intended bride.

### Mr. Glascock

His engagement to Caroline Spalding is discussed; he is rumored to have been refused by Nora Rowley.

### Olivia Spalding

Mentioned as being with Mr. Glascock investigating an old church; Lady Rowley mistakenly thinks she is the bride.

## Key lines

> Will they think that he has disgraced himself?

Caroline asks Nora whether society will view Mr. Glascock's marriage to her as a disgrace.

_Caroline's central anxiety about the social consequences of the marriage._

> Noblesse oblige. I can see the meaning of that, even when the obligation itself is trumpery in its nature.

Caroline acknowledges the duty of a nobleman to marry within his class, even if the obligation seems trivial.

_Reflects Caroline's internal conflict about class expectations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxx-will-they-despise-him
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters