Hester · Chapter
XV: What Edward Thought explained
Hester walks alone to Redborough, feeling the sting of her mother's helplessness and the gossip of the Vernonry.
What happens
Hester walks alone to Redborough, feeling the sting of her mother's helplessness and the gossip of the Vernonry. On her return, Edward waylays her on the Common and speaks to her with cynical frankness about her poverty, her need to marry, and his belief that Harry will be the man she chooses. Hester is both fascinated and furious at his presumption.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles and Power
Hester's proud independence clashes with the expectation that she must be escorted; Edward's speech reduces her to a commodity who must marry for money and status.
Wealth and Morality
Edward argues that money determines freedom and moral choice, contrasting his own bondage to an old woman's apron with Harry's liberty.
Deception and Secrecy
Edward's public aloofness versus his private intimacy with Hester creates a secret, ambiguous bond that fuels the gossip and Hester's own conflicted feelings.
Characters to notice
- Hester Vernon
Walks alone to Redborough, proud and sensitive about her unprotected state; is waylaid by Edward and reacts with blazing indignation to his insinuations about Harry.
- Edward Vernon
Lingers on the Common to intercept Hester; speaks to her with meditative cynicism about money, marriage, and Harry's prospects.
- Harry Vernon
Mentioned by Edward as the likely suitor for Hester; not present in the chapter.
- John Vernon
Hester's mother, anxious about her daughter's delay, appears twice at the door looking out.
- Miss Matilda Vernon-Ridgway
One of the gossiping chorus in the Vernonry, speculating about Hester's absence.
- Mr. Mildmay Vernon
Watches for Hester's return from his window and makes acid comments.
Key passages
“She skimmed along with 'that springy motion in her gait,' as straight and as light as an arrow; and before the chorus of the Vernonry had finished communicating to each other the exciting fact that Mrs. John had once more permitted that girl to go into town by herself... Hester would walk back into the midst of their conclave with such a consciousness of all their whisperings in the large eyes with which she contemplated them as she passed to her mother's door, as suddenly hushed and almost abashed the eager gossips.”
Hester moved so swiftly and gracefully that she returned before the gossips could finish discussing her impropriety, and her knowing look silenced them.
Illustrates Hester's proud defiance of social scrutiny.
“Money does it all. I am supposed to have as much as he has, but I am tied to an old woman's apron, and would lose everything were I to venture like he. Why should he be free and I a slave? I know no reason. Caprice—chance, made it so.”
Edward laments that money controls everything; though he is as wealthy as Harry, he is bound by obligation to an elderly relative and cannot act freely.
Edward's cynical view of wealth and freedom.