# Hugh Stanbury Smokes His Pipe explained — He Knew He Was Right

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

## What happens

Nora Rowley is angry and hurt after her walk with Hugh Stanbury, feeling he rebuked her by calling her 'dainty' and implying she is frivolous. She cries herself to sleep, while Hugh smokes his pipe on the churchyard wall and discusses Mrs. Trevelyan's situation with Priscilla. Priscilla expresses concern about the strain on their mother and the gossip surrounding Mrs. Trevelyan's stay. Hugh reflects on his Bohemian ideals and his conflicted feelings about love and marriage, ultimately realizing that love may be about self-abnegation. The next morning, Nora unexpectedly appears at breakfast before Hugh departs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Power in Marriage

Explored through Priscilla's discussion of Mrs. Trevelyan's powerlessness and the societal expectations that force her to submit to her husband's authority.

### Madness and Obsession

Hugh's intense, philosophical rumination on love and his internal conflict between freedom and romantic longing borders on obsessive introspection.

### Social Reputation and Gossip

The threat of gossip about Mrs. Trevelyan's visit from Colonel Osborne causes distress to the Stanbury household and influences decisions about her stay.

## Character check-ins

### Nora Rowley

Feels insulted by Hugh's rebuke, cries herself to sleep, but appears at breakfast the next morning.

### Hugh Stanbury

Smokes his pipe on the church wall, discusses Mrs. Trevelyan with Priscilla, and reflects on love, freedom, and his Bohemian nature.

### Priscilla Stanbury

Talks with Hugh about Mrs. Trevelyan's situation, expresses concern for her mother's distress, and keeps her word to make breakfast early.

### Emily Trevelyan

Discussed as the cause of household tension; Priscilla and Hugh debate her stay at Nuncombe Putney.

### Miss Jemima Stanbury

Mentioned as having written letters that upset Mrs. Stanbury; Hugh dismisses her influence.

## Key lines

> He had called her 'dainty,' meaning to imply by the epithet that she was one of the butterflies of the day, caring for nothing but sunshine and an opportunity of fluttering her silly wings.

Hugh called Nora 'dainty' to suggest she was a frivolous person who only cared about pleasure and trivialities.

_Nora interprets Hugh's comment as an insult, deepening her hurt and anger._

> He felt that he had within his breast a double identity, and that that other division of himself would be utterly crushed if it were driven to divest itself of the idea of love.

Hugh sensed two conflicting sides of himself, and the part that valued love would be destroyed if he gave up on romance entirely.

_Hugh's internal struggle between his Bohemian desire for freedom and his need for love is central to his character development._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxv-hugh-stanbury-smokes-his-pipe
- 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