# An Astonishment explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Mr. Duncan Dempster is astonished to learn that after eight years of childless marriage, his wife has suddenly given birth to a son. He grapples with bewilderment and a sense of being made a spectacle by nature, yet feels pride in having an heir. The doctor warns that Mrs. Dempster is in danger, but she recovers slowly and shows little interest in the baby, while Mr. Dempster begins to dote on the child and vows to work harder for his son's future.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Materialism

Mr. Dempster's immediate turn to Mammon after the birth, vowing to work harder for money and seeing his son as a future potentate on 'Change, illustrates the theme of wealth and materialism.

### Family and Sacrificial Love

The contrast between Mr. Dempster's growing affection for his son and Mrs. Dempster's neglect highlights the complexities of familial love and duty.

## Character check-ins

### Duncan Dempster

Astonished and bewildered by the sudden birth of his son; feels pride and a sense of being made game of by nature; begins to dote on the baby and vows to work harder for his heir.

### Mrs. Dempster

Recovers slowly from childbirth; shows indifference and even aversion to the baby, turning her head away when the nurse brings him.

## Key lines

> Eight years married with never a glimmer of offspring⁠—and now, all at once, and without a whisper of warning, the father of a 'young gentleman!'

After eight years of marriage with no children, he suddenly becomes a father without any warning.

_Captures the astonishment of the father at the unexpected birth._

> He said to himself he would work harder than ever now. There would now be some good in making money!

He resolved to work harder, believing that now there was a purpose in earning money.

_Shows the father's turn to materialism after the birth._

> She never asked to see him, and when the nurse brought him would turn her head aside, and tell her to take it away.

She never requested to see the baby, and when the nurse brought him, she would look away and ask for him to be taken away.

_Illustrates the mother's neglect and aversion to her child._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/ii-an-astonishment
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters