Phineas Redux · Chapter
Phineas Again in London explained
Phineas returns to London and receives a desperate letter from Lady Laura Kennedy, who fears her husband's threats of publicity and legal action.
What happens
Phineas returns to London and receives a desperate letter from Lady Laura Kennedy, who fears her husband's threats of publicity and legal action. He answers cautiously, advising her to stay in Dresden. In the House, he reacclimates to political life, discussing the coming Church Reform Bill with Barrington Erle, who urges party loyalty. Phineas remains conflicted about his duty to his party versus his own conscience.
Themes in this chapter
Political Ambition and Compromise
Phineas grapples with party loyalty versus personal conscience, while Barrington Erle argues for strict party discipline.
Love and Sacrifice
Lady Laura's letter reveals her ongoing suffering and guilt over her failed marriage, and Phineas's cautious response shows his sense of duty.
Scandal and Public Opinion
Kennedy threatens to publicize the marital dispute, and Lady Laura fears the damage to her reputation and Phineas's.
Characters to notice
- Phineas Finn
Returns to London, receives Lady Laura's letter, answers it cautiously, and reenters parliamentary life.
- Lady Laura Kennedy
Writes a desperate letter from Dresden about her husband's threats and her own guilt.
- Robert Kennedy
Threatens Lady Laura with publicity and legal action, and accuses her of having a lover.
- Barrington Erle
Discusses party strategy with Phineas, urging him to vote against Daubeny's Church Bill.
- Mr. Daubeny
Mentioned as the Minister introducing the Church Reform Bill, criticized for retaining power unconstitutionally.
- Mr. Gresham
Leader of the opposition, determined to oppose Daubeny's Church Bill.
- Mr. Monk
Advises Phineas to support Gresham, explaining his own shift from supporting Daubeny on the Address.
- Mr. Bonteen
Expresses doubt that Phineas can ever hold office again due to his Tankerville pledge.
Key passages
“He now threatens me with publicity. He declares that unless I return to him he will put into some of the papers a statement of the whole case.”
Kennedy says he will publish the story of their separation if she does not come back.
Lady Laura's fear of public scandal.
“A Minister can always give a reason; and, if he be clever, he can generally when doing so punish the man who asks for it.”
A skilled minister can use a parliamentary question to embarrass the questioner.
Observation on political tactics.
“Were it not that men get drilled into it by the force of circumstances any government in this country would be impossible.”
Without party discipline, government would be unworkable.
Barrington Erle's argument for party loyalty.