North and South · Chapter
XXXII: Mischances explained
After Mrs.
What happens
After Mrs. Hale's death, Margaret and Frederick spend a somber day with their father, who is increasingly anxious about Frederick's safety. Margaret accompanies Frederick to the Outwood station to see him off, but they encounter a drunken Leonards, who attempts to arrest Frederick. Frederick overpowers him and escapes onto the train, leaving Margaret shaken and fearful. She later overhears railway officials discussing Leonards' drunken behavior and manages to return home safely.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
Margaret's protective actions for Frederick and her father's anxious care highlight the bonds of family loyalty in the face of danger.
Duty and Sacrifice
Margaret sacrifices her own comfort and safety to ensure Frederick's escape, while Frederick plans to consult Mr. Lennox to clear his name for Margaret's sake.
Characters to notice
- Margaret Hale
Grieving her mother's death, she accompanies Frederick to the station and helps him escape Leonards' attempt to arrest him.
- Frederick Hale
Visits his family after his mother's death; overpowers Leonards and escapes by train to London.
- Mr. Hale
Anxious and nervous about Frederick's safety; insists Margaret see Frederick off at the station.
- John Thornton
Rides past Margaret and Frederick at the stile; Margaret notes his scowl and apologizes for his demeanor.
- Leonards
Drunken railway employee who attempts to arrest Frederick at the station; is tripped and falls, then later tries to borrow money to follow to London.
Key passages
“Margaret was thankful when the parting was over—the parting from the dead mother and the living father.”
Margaret felt relief when the farewells to both her deceased mother and her living father were finished.
Highlights Margaret's emotional exhaustion from the dual grief and the strain of Frederick's secret visit.
“In an instant, how, Margaret did not see, for everything danced before her eyes—but by some sleight of wrestling, Frederick had tripped him up, and he fell from the height of three or four feet, which the platform was elevated above the space of soft ground, by the side of the railroad.”
Margaret couldn't see exactly what happened, but Frederick quickly wrestled Leonards to the ground, causing him to fall off the platform onto the soft ground below.
Captures the sudden violence and Margaret's disorientation during the confrontation.