New Grub Street · Chapter
XXII: The Legatees explained
The chapter opens with Jasper Milvain and Whelpdale discussing marriage, love, and compatibility, with Jasper arguing that romantic love is outdated and that marriage should be based on prudence and material advantage.
What happens
The chapter opens with Jasper Milvain and Whelpdale discussing marriage, love, and compatibility, with Jasper arguing that romantic love is outdated and that marriage should be based on prudence and material advantage. Meanwhile, Marian Yule learns she has inherited five thousand pounds from her uncle John Yule, while Amy Reardon receives ten thousand. The Milvain sisters discuss the implications of these inheritances, and Dora brings the news to Jasper, who reacts with excitement and amusement, though he remains anxious about his own prospects. The chapter ends with Jasper struggling to work, tormented by indecision about his future.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Money
Jasper and Whelpdale's conversation explicitly dissects the relationship between love, compatibility, and financial prudence in marriage, with Jasper advocating for a calculated approach over romantic sentiment.
Ambition and Failure
Jasper's internal conflict and indecision about his future, despite the news of inheritances, underscores the tension between ambition and the fear of failure.
Social Mobility and Class Anxiety
The inheritances dramatically alter the financial circumstances of the Reardons and Marian, raising questions about their social standing and future choices.
Characters to notice
- Jasper Milvain
Engages in a philosophical debate with Whelpdale about love and marriage, arguing for a pragmatic, unsentimental approach. Later learns of Marian's inheritance and reacts with excitement, but remains anxious and indecisive about his own plans.
- Whelpdale
Discusses love and marriage with Jasper, revealing his sentimental and romantic nature. He recounts his past romantic experiences and expresses hope for a higher type of woman in the future.
- Marian Yule
Visits the Milvain sisters and shares the news of her inheritance of five thousand pounds from her uncle John Yule. She expresses concern about how her father might have used the money and wonders about the Reardons' future.
- Dora Milvain
Listens to Marian's news and later informs Jasper about the inheritances. She is critical of Jasper's treatment of Marian and feels it is her duty to reveal his true intentions.
- Maud Milvain
Returns home in ill-humour and reacts coldly to Marian. She questions why Amy Reardon received more than Marian and makes a cynical remark about the timing of the will.
- Edwin Reardon
Mentioned as the beneficiary of Amy's inheritance, which rescues him from poverty and the clerkship. Jasper expresses relief and amusement at his good fortune.
Key passages
““I haven’t much faith in marrying for love, as you know. What’s more, I believe it’s the very rarest thing for people to be in love with each other.””
Jasper tells Whelpdale that he does not believe in marrying for love, and thinks that genuine mutual love is extremely uncommon.
This encapsulates Jasper's pragmatic and cynical view of marriage, central to the chapter's thematic discussion.
““The days of romantic love are gone by. The scientific spirit has put an end to that kind of self-deception.””
Jasper argues that romantic love is outdated and that modern rational thinking has eliminated such illusions.
Reflects the influence of scientific rationalism on personal relationships in the late Victorian era.
““I am far more likely to marry some woman for whom I have no preference, but who can serve me materially.””
Jasper admits that he would consider marrying a woman he does not care for if she could provide financial or social advantage.
Highlights Jasper's materialistic and strategic approach to marriage, contrasting with Whelpdale's sentimentalism.
““So Reardon is rescued from the slum and the clerk’s desk! Well, I’m glad; by Jove, I am.””
Jasper reacts with delight upon learning that Reardon's wife inherited ten thousand pounds, freeing him from poverty and menial work.
Shows Jasper's relief and amusement at the turn of events, though his own anxieties persist.
