Short Fiction · Chapter
II: “Down I Shall Go” explained
Polly Peppercorn and Emily Greenmantle discuss their romantic troubles.
What happens
Polly Peppercorn and Emily Greenmantle discuss their romantic troubles. Polly is determined to marry Jack Hollycombe despite her father's opposition, and she plans to reduce her lifestyle to match Jack's station. Emily, facing her own father's disapproval of her relationship with Philip Hughes, feels less hopeful and lacks Polly's defiant spirit.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Polly and Emily both face parental opposition to their romantic choices. Polly is determined to marry Jack Hollycombe despite her father's threats, while Emily feels trapped by her father's silent disapproval.
Social Class and Status
Polly explicitly discusses the class difference between herself and Emily, and her decision to 'go down' in society by marrying Jack. She adopts plainer dress and insists on formal address to reflect her new station.
Characters to notice
- Polly Peppercorn
Polly asserts her intention to marry Jack Hollycombe, even if it means giving up her father's money and living in reduced circumstances. She adopts a plainer dress and insists on calling Emily 'Miss Greenmantle' to reflect her new station.
- Emily Greenmantle
Emily visits Polly after a fortnight, feeling sorrowful about the rift between them. She is sympathetic but lacks Polly's resilience, feeling hopeless about her own situation with her father's disapproval.
- Jack Hollycombe
Jack is Polly's intended husband, described as 'all sugar and promises.' Polly plans to test his constancy and has told him she will not marry him without her father's consent, though she hopes to win her father over.
- Dr. Freeborn
Dr. Freeborn advises Emily to visit Polly and is a respected figure in Plumplington. Polly acknowledges his influence but asserts her own will in matters of love and marriage.
- Mr. Greenmantle
Emily's father, who opposes her relationship with Philip Hughes. He has pressed his lips together and refused to discuss the matter, leaving Emily feeling hopeless.
Key passages
“Down I shall go.”
Polly declares she will accept a lower social status if her father refuses to support her marriage to Jack.
Polly's repeated phrase encapsulates her resolve to live according to her means as Jack's wife, even if it means losing her father's wealth.
“I don't know that father has a right to destroy all my happiness.”
Polly questions whether her father's authority should override her own happiness in choosing a husband.
This reflects the tension between filial duty and personal desire, a central conflict in the chapter.
“It's where money is wanted that parents become stern and their children become dutiful.”
Polly observes that financial concerns make parents strict and children obedient in matters of marriage.
Polly's insight highlights the economic underpinnings of parental control over marriage in Victorian society.