Miss Marjoribanks · Chapter
Chapter XLVI explained
Lucilla Marjoribanks, in mourning after her father's death, resists the flood of advice urging her to leave Carlingford.
What happens
Lucilla Marjoribanks, in mourning after her father's death, resists the flood of advice urging her to leave Carlingford. She reflects on her future, considering her father's words and Rose Lake's suggestion of a House of Mercy, but decides to stay put for now, letting events unfold. Meanwhile, Mr. Ashburton, distracted by thoughts of Lucilla, ponders whether she might appear at the election window, while Lucilla remains calmly detached, focused on her reading and household affairs.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Perception and Ego
Lucilla's musings on being the center of community thoughts and her determination not to become a nonentity highlight her self-awareness and ego.
Community and Gossip
The chapter is filled with advice and opinions from friends like Miss Brown, Mrs. Centum, and Lady Richmond, showing the community's involvement in Lucilla's decisions.
Characters to notice
- Lucilla Marjoribanks
Resists advice to leave Carlingford after her father's death, muses on her future, and decides to let things take their course.
- Miss Marjoribanks
Reflects on her father's words and Rose Lake's suggestion, and is the center of community speculation.
- Mr. Ashburton
Visits Lucilla, forgets his overcoat, and is preoccupied with the question of whether she will appear at the election window.
- Aunt Jemima
Hesitantly opens the subject of Tom's letter, but Lucilla does not inquire.
- Nancy
Mentioned as the cook whose extravagance is discussed by Mrs. Centum.
Key passages
“It was not unpleasant to feel that, for this moment at least, she was the centre of the thoughts of the community, and that almost everybody in Carlingford had taken the trouble to frame an ideal existence for her, according as he or she regarded life.”
Lucilla found it somewhat satisfying to be the focus of everyone's attention, with each person imagining a different future for her.
Reflects Lucilla's self-awareness and the community's tendency to speculate.
“Grief has its privileges and exemptions, like other great principles of life; and the recollection that she could not at present be expected to be able to think about anything, filled Lucilla's mind with the most soothing sense of consolation and refreshing calm.”
Lucilla found comfort in the idea that her mourning excused her from making decisions, giving her a peaceful respite.
Highlights Lucilla's strategic use of social conventions.