Short Fiction · Chapter
III: Mr. Greenmantle Is Much Perplexed explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Greenmantle is deeply troubled by his daughter Emily's apparent attachment to Philip Hughes, the bank cashier. After a tense visit from Mr. Peppercorn, who tries to ally with him against their daughters' romantic choices, Mr. Greenmantle becomes increasingly isolated in his resolve. At dinner, Emily refuses to eat, signaling a silent rebellion. Mr. Greenmantle contemplates drastic measures, including resigning from the bank or taking Emily abroad, to prevent what he sees as an unsuitable match.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Status
Mr. Greenmantle's distress stems from his belief that Philip Hughes, as a bank cashier, is beneath his daughter's station, highlighting the rigid class distinctions of the era.
Family Duty and Sacrifice
Emily's refusal to eat and contemplation of starvation to change her father's mind illustrates the conflict between filial duty and personal desire.
Love and Marriage
The chapter centers on the romantic choices of Emily and Polly, and the parental opposition they face, exploring the tension between love and social expectations.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Greenmantle
Perplexed and stern, he is determined to prevent his daughter Emily from marrying Philip Hughes, the bank cashier, and feels insulted by Mr. Peppercorn's suggestion that they are in a similar situation.
- Emily Greenmantle
Silently rebels against her father by refusing to eat dinner, vowing to marry Philip Hughes or remain unmarried, and contemplates a long sickness to wear down his resolve.
- Jack Hollycombe
Mentioned as the suitor of Polly Peppercorn, whose situation parallels Emily's; Dr. Freeborn defends him as a good and steady young man.
- Polly Peppercorn
The brewer's daughter who is determined to marry Jack Hollycombe despite her father's objections; her actions are compared to Emily's by Mr. Peppercorn.
- Mr. Peppercorn
Visits Mr. Greenmantle to complain about his daughter Polly's intention to marry John Hollycombe and tries to form an alliance against their daughters' choices, but is rebuffed.
- Dr. Freeborn
Discussed as having coupled the two girls in conversation and advocated for the young couples, causing Mr. Greenmantle to feel targeted and resentful.
- Philip Hughes
The bank cashier and Emily's chosen suitor; Mr. Greenmantle views him as an interloper and considers him unworthy of his daughter.
Key passages
“I do, Mr. Peppercorn?” “I’m coming to that. If you’ll see her next Sunday you’ll think of what my feelings must be. She’s a-doing of it all just because she wants to show me that she thinks herself fit for nothing better than to be John Hollycombe’s wife.”
Mr. Peppercorn explains that his daughter Polly is dressing down to prove she is only fit to be John Hollycombe's wife, which distresses him.
Mr. Peppercorn's complaint to Mr. Greenmantle about Polly's behavior.
“Emily vowed to herself as she looked across the table into her father’s face, that she would be Mrs. Philip Hughes—or remain unmarried all her life.”
Emily silently resolves to marry Philip Hughes or never marry at all.
Emily's internal determination during the tense dinner.
“He was the son of a clergyman who was now dead, but had been intimate with Dr. Freeborn. And in the natural course of events might succeed her father as manager of the Bank.”
Philip Hughes is the son of a deceased clergyman and a friend of Dr. Freeborn, and could eventually become bank manager.
Emily's justification for considering Philip a gentleman.
