# VI: Neighbours and Relations explained — Hester

> Chapter companion for Hester by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Mrs. John Vernon settles into her new home at the Vernonry, but is anxious about Hester's rude refusal of Catherine Vernon. The Miss Vernon-Ridgways and Mr. Mildmay Vernon visit, subtly disparaging Catherine while praising Hester's defiance. Mrs. John, simple and troubled, reveals her fears and her husband's disdain for women in business. The relatives' gossip and insinuations deepen her unease.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Obligation

The Vernon relatives visit Mrs. John out of a sense of family duty, but their conversation is laced with resentment and manipulation, revealing the burdens of familial ties.

### Deception and Secrecy

The relatives paint a false picture of Catherine as tyrannical and self-serving, while hiding their own envy and dependence; Mrs. John is bewildered by the undertone of their talk.

### Wealth and Morality

Catherine's wealth and control over the Vernonry and the bank create a moral tension: her generosity is resented, and the relatives' criticism masks their own moral failings.

## Character check-ins

### Hester Vernon

Supervises the table and defends her actions to her mother; her refusal to admit Catherine is discussed by the relatives.

### Catherine Vernon

Discussed as the benefactress whose generosity is resented; her visit to Mrs. John was rebuffed by Hester.

### John Vernon

Mentioned as Mrs. John's deceased husband who disliked women meddling in business.

### Miss Matilda Vernon-Ridgway

One of the two tall sisters who visit the summerhouse, gossip about Catherine, and welcome Mrs. John with feigned politeness.

### Miss Martha Vernon

The other sister, accompanying Matilda, sharing in the disparagement of Catherine.

### Mr. Mildmay Vernon

Visits Mrs. John, encourages her complaints, and subtly criticizes Catherine's management of the bank and the White House.

## Key lines

> They had grown to believe that she was all this, and to expect her to act in accordance with the character they had given her.

The relatives had convinced themselves that Catherine was as they described her, and they anticipated her behavior to match their invented image.

_Highlights the self-deception and collective delusion among the Vernon relatives about Catherine's character._

> I think that mixed up with business they are entirely out of their place. It changes the natural relations—it creates a false position—

Mr. Mildmay argues that women should not be involved in business, as it disrupts proper social roles and creates awkward situations.

_Reflects contemporary gender norms and Mr. Mildmay's subtle attack on Catherine's authority._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hester_se/chapters/vi-neighbours-and-relations
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hester_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hester_se/chapters