# X: Mr., Mrs., and Miss Furnival explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The chapter introduces the Furnival family: Mr. Furnival, a successful but aging barrister who worked hard for his success; Mrs. Furnival, his loyal but neglected wife who suspects his attentions to Lady Mason; and their daughter Sophia, a clever and attractive young woman who adapts easily to high society, causing some jealousy in her mother.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender and Power

Mrs. Furnival's domestic powerlessness despite her past sacrifices contrasts with Mr. Furnival's professional and social freedom.

### Social Class and Ambition

The Furnivals' move from Keppel Street to Harley Street reflects social climbing; Sophia's ease in high society shows the family's ambition.

### Truth and Deception

Mrs. Orme's doubt about Sophia's sincerity ('I don't feel quite sure that she is real') hints at themes of authenticity and deception.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Furnival

A hardworking barrister who achieved success later in life; now fifty-five, showing signs of age and strain; his wife suspects him of wandering affections toward Lady Mason.

### Mrs. Furnival

The stout, sensible wife who supported her husband through poverty but now feels neglected and jealous of his attention to Lady Mason.

### Sophia Furnival

The clever, attractive daughter who adapts well to high society; her mother feels occasional jealousy toward her.

### Lady Mason

Mentioned as the object of Mr. Furnival's attention, causing Mrs. Furnival's jealousy.

### Mrs. Orme

Quoted as having expressed doubt about Sophia's sincerity: 'I don't feel quite sure that she is real.'

## Key lines

> Mr. Furnival was a lawyer⁠—I mean a barrister⁠—belonging to Lincoln’s Inn, and living at the time at which our story is supposed to commence in Harley Street.

Mr. Furnival is a barrister based in Lincoln's Inn, residing in Harley Street as the story begins.

_Establishes Mr. Furnival's profession and residence._

> That he did wander afield, poor Mrs. Furnival felt in her agony convinced; and among those ladies whom on this account she most thoroughly detested was our friend Lady Mason of Orley Farm.

Mrs. Furnival is convinced her husband is unfaithful, and she particularly resents Lady Mason.

_Reveals Mrs. Furnival's jealousy and suspicion toward Lady Mason._

> “I don’t feel quite sure that she is real,” Mrs. Orme had said of her, when on a certain occasion Miss Furnival had spent a day and a night at The Cleeve.

Mrs. Orme doubted Sophia's authenticity after hosting her at The Cleeve.

_Highlights a critical view of Sophia's character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/x-mr-mrs-and-miss-furnival
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters