Orley Farm · Chapter
The Cleeve explained
This chapter introduces Sir Peregrine Orme, his estate The Cleeve, and his family.
What happens
This chapter introduces Sir Peregrine Orme, his estate The Cleeve, and his family. Sir Peregrine is an old, opinionated gentleman of modest wealth but high social standing, devoted to his daughter-in-law Mrs. Orme, the widow of his only son. The chapter also describes his grandson and heir, young Peregrine Orme, who has been rusticated from Oxford for youthful escapades, and contrasts his character with that of Lucius Mason.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
Sir Peregrine's devotion to Mrs. Orme and his careful stewardship of the estate for his grandson highlight the theme of family duty and loyalty.
Social Class and Ambition
The chapter contrasts the idle, privileged youth of Peregrine Orme with the ambitious, studious Lucius Mason, exploring class expectations and ambition.
Characters to notice
- Sir Peregrine Orme
The elderly baronet, proud of his lineage, opinionated, and devoted to Mrs. Orme; he manages his estate carefully to leave it intact for his grandson.
- Mrs. Orme
The widowed daughter-in-law of Sir Peregrine, who has lived at The Cleeve for twenty years since her husband's death; she is gentle, beloved, and holds great influence over Sir Peregrine.
- Young Peregrine
The heir to The Cleeve, recently rusticated from Oxford for boyish pranks; he is still immature and has incurred debts that trouble his grandfather.
- Lucius Mason
Mentioned in contrast to young Peregrine; he is industrious and studious, pursuing chemistry and agriculture.
Key passages
“He has yielded to her in all things, and attended to her will as though she were a little queen, recognizing in her feminine weakness a sovereign power, as some men can and do.”
Sir Peregrine defers to Mrs. Orme in everything, treating her wishes as commands and acknowledging a kind of feminine authority.
Illustrates the dynamic of gender and power within the household.
“Fruit that grows ripe the quickest is not the sweetest; nor when housed and garnered will it keep the longest.”
The fastest-maturing fruit is not the most flavorful, nor does it last as long in storage.
Metaphor for the slow development of young Peregrine's character compared to the more precocious Lucius Mason.