New Grub Street · Chapter
Mr. Yule Leaves Town explained
After a violent confrontation with Mrs.
What happens
After a violent confrontation with Mrs. Goby over a domestic servant, Alfred Yule leaves home for several days, deepening the rift with his daughter Marian. The chapter explores Yule's jealousy and suspicion of Jasper Milvain, Marian's internal conflict between her feelings for Jasper and her loyalty to her father, and the tense household atmosphere upon Yule's return.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Class
Mrs. Goby's confrontation highlights class tensions between Yule's intellectual pretensions and his wife's humble family, embodied by the servant Annie Rudd.
Ambition and Failure
Yule's jealousy of Jasper Milvain's rising career and his fear of being seen as antiquated reflect his own anxieties about literary success and obsolescence.
Gender Roles and Women's Position
Marian's internal conflict between her father's expectations and her own desires illustrates the limited agency of women, even those with intellectual pursuits.
Characters to notice
- Alfred Yule
Enraged by Mrs. Goby's visit and his wife's family connections; leaves home for five days, returning with a grave demeanor.
- Marian Yule
Struggles with her father's distrust and her own preoccupation with Jasper Milvain; unable to console her mother or focus on work.
- Mrs. Edmund Yule
Terrified of her husband's wrath after the servant incident; suffers from suspense and weeping during his absence.
- Jasper Milvain
Mentioned as a rising periodicalist and ally of Fadge; Yule suspects him of base motives toward Marian.
- Dora Milvain
Marian writes to her about the events, but refrains from visiting.
Key passages
“I’m the respectable wife of a respectable man—that’s who I am, Mr. Yule, if you want to know.”
Mrs. Goby asserts her social standing to Yule, defending her respectability against his implied scorn.
Highlights class conflict and the importance of reputation in Victorian society.
“He feared to provoke Marian, and this fear was again a torture to his pride.”
Yule's dread of confronting Marian wounds his pride, as he senses her growing independence.
Reveals the shifting power dynamic between father and daughter.
“If he lost Marian, he would indeed be a lonely man, for he considered his wife of no account.”
Yule's emotional isolation is tied to Marian; he dismisses his wife as insignificant.
Emphasizes Yule's misogyny and dependence on his daughter for intellectual companionship.