Phoebe, Junior · Chapter
XXII: A Desperate Expedient explained
Phoebe dines with the May family, amusing Mr.
What happens
Phoebe dines with the May family, amusing Mr. May with her talk of Dissent and social class, while he is secretly tormented by the impending financial ruin from Cotsdean's bill. Reginald joins them, and Phoebe defends both sides in the religious debate. Later, Mr. May retreats to his study in despair, unable to find the hundred pounds needed to save Cotsdean, until a commotion in the hall stirs a faint hope.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Mobility
Phoebe's conversation with Mr. May reveals the class divide between Dissenters and Anglicans, and her own navigation of her family's shopkeeping origins.
Appearance vs. Reality
Mr. May maintains a calm, amused exterior during tea while internally tormented by the impending financial disaster.
Religious Hypocrisy
Phoebe and Reginald debate the treatment of Dissenters by the Church, with Mr. May laughing at the idea of Dissenters being as educated as Anglicans.
Family Duty and Sacrifice
Mr. May's anguish over Cotsdean's ruin shows his sense of duty and the sacrifice he feels responsible for.
Characters to notice
- Phoebe Tozer
Visits the Mays for tea, displaying serene confidence and discussing Dissent and social class; she defends both sides in the religious debate.
- Reginald May
Enters during tea, good-humoredly discussing the Dissenting minister who attacked him; Phoebe takes 'everybody's side.'
- Ursula May
Hosts the tea, pours tea for the children, and tries to soothe Phoebe's feelings about Dissent.
- Mr. May
Tormented by the impending financial ruin from Cotsdean's bill; he is distracted during tea, then retreats to his study in despair.
- Cotsdean
Mentioned as the faithful retainer facing ruin if the bill is not paid; Mr. May is deeply distressed on his behalf.
- Clarence Copperhead
Mentioned as a reason Mr. May permitted Ursula's acquaintance with Phoebe, out of curiosity.
Key passages
“The recollection was upon him like a vulture in classic story, tearing and gnawing, as he sat there and smiled over the cup of tea Ursula gave him, feeling amused all the same at Phoebe’s talk.”
Mr. May's memory of his financial trouble tormented him like a vulture, even as he smiled and enjoyed Phoebe's conversation over tea.
Illustrates the theme of appearance vs. reality, as Mr. May hides his inner turmoil.
“He covered his face with his hands, and turned round and round mentally in that darkness to see if anywhere there might be a gleam of light; but none was visible east or west.”
He hid his face and searched his mind desperately for any solution, but found no hope at all.
Highlights Mr. May's despair and the desperate situation regarding Cotsdean's bill.
“I take everybody’s side,” said Phoebe; “for I try to trace people’s motives. I can sympathise both with you and those who assailed you.”
Phoebe says she understands both sides because she tries to see everyone's reasons, sympathizing with Reginald and his attacker.
Shows Phoebe's diplomatic nature and her attempt to mediate the religious conflict.