Queen Victoria · Chapter
X: The End explained
The final chapter describes Queen Victoria's last years, her unwavering commitment during the South African War, her visit to Ireland in 1900, the gradual decline of her health, and her death on January 22, 1901, as her mind drifts through
What happens
The final chapter describes Queen Victoria's last years, her unwavering commitment during the South African War, her visit to Ireland in 1900, the gradual decline of her health, and her death on January 22, 1901, as her mind drifts through memories of her long life.
Themes in this chapter
Duty and Morality
Victoria's unwavering commitment to her royal duties even in her final months, continuing to work and communicate with war sufferers despite physical decay.
Grief and Loss
The chapter culminates in Victoria's death, and her final memories are filled with lost loved ones, including Albert, Melbourne, and Lehzen.
Public Perception and Popularity
The nation's astonished grief at the approaching end reflects how Victoria had become an indissoluble part of her subjects' scheme of things.
Monarchy and Constitutional Role
Victoria's continued engagement with state affairs, including her interview with Lord Roberts and her interest in war details, underscores her constitutional role.
Characters to notice
- Queen Victoria
The central figure, whose death and final memories are recounted.
- Benjamin Disraeli
Recalled in Victoria's fading memories, associated with primroses at Osborne.
- Lord Palmerston
Appears in Victoria's last thoughts, remembered for his queer clothes and high demeanour.
- Prince Albert
Recalled multiple times in Victoria's final visions, including his face under the green lamp and his first stag at Balmoral.
- Baron Stockmar
Appears in Victoria's memories, coming in through a doorway.
- Lord Melbourne
Remembered dreaming at Windsor with rooks cawing in the elm-trees.
- King Leopold
Recalled with his soft voice at Claremont.
- Baroness Lehzen
Appears in Victoria's memories with the globes.
- Duchess of Kent
Remembered with her feathers sweeping down towards Victoria.
- Duke of Kent
Recalled through his great old repeater-watch in its tortoiseshell case.
- King William IV
Remembered for his turkey-cock ejaculations.
- Archbishop of Canterbury
Recalled on his knees in the dawn.
- Lord Roberts
Visited Victoria at Osborne shortly before her death, returning victorious from South Africa.
Key passages
“The evening had been golden; but, after all, the day was to close in cloud and tempest.”
The prosperous earlier years of Victoria's reign gave way to a troubled end.
Metaphor for the contrast between the earlier successes of her reign and the difficulties of the South African War and her final decline.
“She had become an indissoluble part of their whole scheme of things, and that they were about to lose her appeared a scarcely possible thought.”
The Queen was so integral to British life that her death seemed unimaginable to her subjects.
Reflects the deep emotional and symbolic connection between Victoria and the nation.
“Perhaps her fading mind called up once more the shadows of the past to float before it, and retraced, for the last time, the vanished visions of that long history.”
In her final moments, Victoria's mind may have revisited key memories from her life.
Poetic description of Victoria's dying thoughts, summarizing the narrative of her reign.
