XXXVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Ambition and Control

  Lucilla's orchestration of Mr. Ashburton's candidacy demonstrates her continued drive to shape Carlingford society and her own position within it.

• Performance and Appearance

  The choice of ribbon colors and the theatrical presentation of the candidate's address highlight the importance of visual symbols and public performance in politics and social life.

• Self-Perception and Ego

  Lucilla's reflection on the ten years and her unfulfilled expectations reveals her evolving self-awareness and the gap between youthful ambition and reality.

Characters to notice

• Lucilla Marjoribanks

  Now twenty-nine, Lucilla reflects on the passage of ten years and her unfulfilled expectations. She actively promotes Mr. Ashburton's candidacy, choosing his colors and orchestrating public support.

• Mr. Ashburton

  The new parliamentary candidate for Carlingford, who is persuaded by Lucilla to adopt an independent, non-partisan stance and to use violet-and-green as his colors.

• Dr. Marjoribanks

  Lucilla's father, who is not consulted about her political activities but remains a background presence.

• Major Brown

  A local figure who echoes Lucilla's sentiment that Carlingford needs a good man, not a party politician, and supports the idea of an independent candidate.

• Old Mr. Chiltern

  His recent death is mentioned as a catalyst for the political opportunity that Lucilla seizes.

Key passages

• “The enlightened electors of Carlingford do not demand, like other less educated constituencies, a system of political doctrines cut and dry, or a representative bound to give up his own judgment, and act according to arbitrary promises,” said the daring candidate: “what they want is an honest man, resolved to do his duty by his country, his borough, and his constituency; and it is this idea alone which has induced me to solicit your suffrages.”

  Mr. Ashburton's campaign address claims that Carlingford voters are too sophisticated to want a rigid party platform; instead, they desire an honest representative who will use his own judgment and serve the nation, the borough, and the voters.

  This speech, crafted under Lucilla's influence, positions Ashburton as an independent candidate above party politics.

• “The ten years, as they had really gone by, were very different from the ten years she had looked forward to, when, in the triumph of her youth, she named that period as the time when she might probably begin to go off, and would be disposed to marry.”

  Lucilla's actual experience of the past decade has not matched her youthful expectations; she had anticipated that by age twenty-nine she would be ready to marry, but that opportunity has not yet arrived.

  This reflection underscores Lucilla's growing awareness of the gap between her earlier ambitions and her current reality.

• “If they are your colours they shall be mine,” he said, with a sense of patronage and protection which was very delightful; and the two were still talking and laughing over the silken link thus formed between them, when the people came in whom Lucilla was expecting to lunch.”

  Mr. Ashburton, charmed by Lucilla's attention, declares that her chosen colors will be his as well, creating a playful bond between them just as other guests arrive for lunch.

  This moment illustrates the personal and political alliance forming between Lucilla and Ashburton, blending flirtation with strategy.