Hester · Chapter
III: The Vernonry explained
This chapter describes Catherine Vernon in her old age, a woman of sixty-five who has led a peaceful, independent life, free from the anxieties of marriage and motherhood.
What happens
This chapter describes Catherine Vernon in her old age, a woman of sixty-five who has led a peaceful, independent life, free from the anxieties of marriage and motherhood. She has become a benefactor to many young people and has selected two young Vernon relatives, Harry and Edward, to manage the bank she built. The chapter also introduces Hester and her mother, Mrs. John, who have just arrived at the Vernonry, a house offered to them by Catherine. Hester is curious about her family's past and her father's mysterious ruin, while her mother is nostalgic and emotional about their former home, the White House. The chapter ends with Hester putting her mother to bed and exploring the unfamiliar house.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Obligation
Catherine Vernon's sense of duty to her family is central, as she provides for her relatives by offering them positions in the bank and housing, such as the Vernonry for Hester and her mother.
Wealth and Morality
The chapter explores how wealth, acquired through Catherine's management of the bank, enables her to act as a benefactor, but also raises questions about the moral implications of her past involvement in John Vernon's ruin.
Gender Roles and Power
Catherine Vernon defies traditional gender roles by being a successful businesswoman and the head of the family, wielding power typically reserved for men in Victorian society.
Characters to notice
- Catherine Vernon
Now an old woman of sixty-five, described as a 'dry tree' who never married but has become a maternal figure to many, managing the bank and offering the Vernonry to Hester and her mother.
- Hester Vernon
Arrives at the Vernonry with her mother, curious about her family history and her father's downfall, and begins to explore the old house.
- John Vernon
Mentioned as Hester's father, who left England under mysterious circumstances; Hester believes he was wronged by a conspiracy.
- Harry Vernon
One of the two young men selected by Catherine to manage the bank, descended from the daughter of the great John Vernon.
- Edward Vernon
The other young manager selected by Catherine, descended from a brother of the great John Vernon, living with Miss Vernon.
- Ellen Vernon
Harry's sister, described as young and headstrong, who keeps Catherine at arm's length and shows little affection for her.
Key passages
“Catherine Vernon had become an old woman—at least she was sixty-five; you can call that an old woman if you please.”
Catherine Vernon was now sixty-five years old, an age that could be considered old.
Introduces Catherine's age and sets the stage for her current role in the story.
“She was an old maid, to be sure, but an old maid who never was alone.”
Although she never married, she was never lonely.
Highlights Catherine's unconventional but fulfilling life as a single woman.
“The children of the barren in her case were more than those of any wife.”
She had more surrogate children than many mothers have biological ones.
Emphasizes Catherine's maternal role to many young people despite being childless.
“Hester arrived at the curious old house, which was unlike anything she had ever seen before, with eyes like two notes of interrogation, brilliant, flaming, inquiring into everything.”
Hester came to the strange old house, her bright eyes full of questions, eager to explore everything.
Captures Hester's curiosity and her active, questioning nature upon arrival.
