Middlemarch · Chapter
XXXV explained
The reading of Peter Featherstone's will reveals that he has left the bulk of his estate to an unknown stranger, Joshua Rigg, rather than to his family.
What happens
The reading of Peter Featherstone's will reveals that he has left the bulk of his estate to an unknown stranger, Joshua Rigg, rather than to his family. The Featherstone relatives express bitter disappointment and anger, while Fred Vincy, who had hoped for a legacy, is left with nothing. Mary Garth bids Fred a sad farewell, and the chapter reflects on the nature of inheritance and the dignity of humble subjects.
Themes in this chapter
Money and Economic Pressure
The will's reading exposes the financial hopes and disappointments of the Featherstone relatives, particularly Fred Vincy's loss of expected inheritance.
Social Class and Provincial Life
The reactions of the Featherstone family and the townspeople highlight class distinctions and the importance of property in provincial society.
Selfishness and Moral Compromise
The relatives' bitter complaints and the mercer's opportunistic interest in Rigg's business demonstrate selfish motives and moral compromise.
Characters to notice
- Peter Featherstone
Deceased; his will is read, leaving his estate to Joshua Rigg and disappointing his relatives.
- Fred Vincy
Hoped for a legacy but receives nothing; feels sick and pettish, considering entering the Church.
- Mary Garth
Bids Fred goodbye with affectionate sadness; plans to take another situation to support herself.
- Caleb Garth
Examines the stranger Rigg with intelligent curiosity; expresses a wish that there were no such thing as a will.
- Joshua Rigg
The unknown heir to Featherstone's estate; appears cool and businesslike, with a high chirping voice and vile accent.
- Mr. Vincy
Proudly silent after his outburst; comforts his wife and orders the phaeton to leave.
Key passages
“I never noticed any alienation of mind—any aberration of intellect in the late Mr. Featherstone,” said Borthrop Trumbull, “but I call this will eccentric.”
Borthrop Trumbull claims Featherstone was mentally sound but finds the will odd.
Trumbull expresses surprise at the will's contents while defending Featherstone's sanity.
“That’s all very fine,” said Fred, pettishly. “What is a fellow to do? I must go into the Church now.”
Fred complains bitterly about his situation and feels forced to become a clergyman.
Fred's frustration at losing the inheritance leads him to consider the Church as a last resort.
“It seems an easier and shorter way to dignity, to observe that—since there never was a true story which could not be told in parables, where you might put a monkey for a margrave, and vice versa—whatever has been or is to be narrated by me about low people, may be ennobled by being considered a parable”
The narrator suggests that even stories about humble people can be elevated by treating them as parables.
The author reflects on the dignity of narrating provincial life and the use of parable to ennoble low subjects.