Lavengro · Chapter
LXXXVI explained
In the evening, Lavengro and Isopel Berners share tea in the dingle.
What happens
In the evening, Lavengro and Isopel Berners share tea in the dingle. Lavengro feels ill after his fight with the Flaming Tinman. Isopel tells the story of her birth in the workhouse, her mother's tragic death, her subsequent life in service, her travels with an elderly woman, and her acquaintance with the Bosvilles. She reveals her name and defends her fierce nature. Lavengro confesses fear of the evil one, and Isopel promises to stand by him.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Gentility
Isopel's birth in the workhouse and her mother's tragic story highlight the harsh realities of poverty and class.
Honor and Morality
Isopel values truth and constancy, and defends her honor by fighting those who mistreat her.
The Gypsy and the Outsider
Isopel, a wandering traveler, shares the outsider experience of the dingle and its transient inhabitants.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
Sits at tea with Isopel, feeling ill and confessing fear of the evil one.
- Isopel Berners
Serves tea, recounts her life story from birth in the workhouse to her travels, and promises to protect Lavengro.
- The Flaming Tinman
Referenced as Blazing Bosville, the man Lavengro fought earlier; Isopel says he will not return.
- Belle
Isopel mentions Grey Moll, the Flaming Tinman's wife, describing her as true and faithful.
Key passages
““This tea is very good,” said I, “but I cannot enjoy it as much as if I were well: I feel very sadly.””
Lavengro says the tea is good but he cannot enjoy it because he feels ill.
Lavengro's physical state after the fight.
““My size and fierceness! I tell you what, young man, you are not over civil this evening; but you are ill, as I said before, and I shan’t take much notice of your language, at least for the present; as for my size, I am not so much bigger than yourself; and as for being fierce, you should be the last one to fling that at me.””
Isopel rebukes Lavengro for commenting on her size and fierceness, but forgives him because he is ill.
Isopel's defense of her character and her tolerance of Lavengro's rudeness.
““My father was an officer of the sea, and was killed at sea as he was coming home to marry my mother, Isopel Berners.””
Isopel explains that her father, a naval officer, died at sea on his way back to marry her mother.
Isopel's origin story.
““I was born and bred in the great house, where I learnt to read and sew, to fear God, and to take my own part.””
Isopel says she was raised in the workhouse, learning reading, sewing, religion, and self-defense.
Isopel's upbringing in the workhouse.
““I’m not afraid of the Flaming Tinman.” “What, then, are you afraid of?” “The evil one.””
Lavengro says he is not afraid of the Flaming Tinman but of the devil.
Lavengro's spiritual fear.