# I: The Two Girls explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The chapter introduces the town of Plumplington and its two prominent families: the Greenmantles and the Peppercorns. Emily Greenmantle, the daughter of the bank manager Mr. Greenmantle, is expected to marry well but prefers the cashier Philip Hughes, causing her father's anger. Polly Peppercorn, the daughter of the brewery foreman Mr. Hickory Peppercorn, has chosen Jack Hollycombe, a poor but promising young man. Both fathers oppose the matches, setting up conflicts over love, money, and social standing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The central conflict of the chapter revolves around the romantic choices of Emily and Polly, which clash with their fathers' expectations of suitable matches.

### Social Class and Status

The chapter contrasts the Greenmantle and Peppercorn families, highlighting class distinctions and the importance of money and position in determining acceptable marriages.

### Family Duty and Sacrifice

Both fathers assert their authority over their daughters' futures, demanding obedience and threatening to withhold support if their wishes are defied.

## Character check-ins

### Emily Greenmantle

The heiress daughter of Mr. Greenmantle, who prefers the cashier Philip Hughes over the wealthy Harry Gresham, causing her father's displeasure.

### Polly Peppercorn

The bright and determined daughter of Mr. Hickory Peppercorn, who has chosen Jack Hollycombe as her lover and is prepared to fight for the match.

### Mr. Greenmantle

The stern bank manager and father of Emily, who forbids her marriage to Philip Hughes and insists on his authority.

### Philip Hughes

A promising young cashier in Mr. Greenmantle's bank, who is the object of Emily's affection but is deemed unsuitable by her father.

### Jack Hollycombe

A stalwart young malt dealer from Barchester, earning forty shillings a week, who loves Polly Peppercorn and has been rebuffed by her father.

### Dr. Freeborn

The old clergyman who holds both young ladies in high regard and expresses concern over Emily's prospects.

## Key lines

> It became known at once that Mr. Greenmantle was very angry. Mr. Greenmantle was a man who carried himself with a dignified and handsome demeanour, but he was one of whom those who knew him used to declare that it would be found very difficult to turn him from his purpose.

Mr. Greenmantle's anger was immediate and well-known; despite his dignified appearance, he was recognized as a stubborn man unlikely to change his mind.

_Establishes Mr. Greenmantle's character as a formidable obstacle to Emily's romance._

> Polly after that began the battle in a fashion that had been invented by herself. No one well for the future Mrs. Hollycombe. At any rate, like a Marlborough or a Wellington, she went into the battle thinking of victory and not of defeat.

Polly devised her own strategy for the conflict, approaching it with the confidence of a great general, determined to win.

_Highlights Polly's proactive and resolute nature in pursuing her desired marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/i-the-two-girls
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