# La Mère Bauche explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens Madame Bauche, the stern and autocratic owner of a hotel in Vernet, rules her establishment with rigid rules and low prices. She has raised Marie Clavert as a charity child, but when her son Adolphe falls in love with Marie, Madame Bauche opposes the match. After consulting her friend, the Capitaine Theodore Campan, she decides to send Adolphe away. Two years later, Adolphe returns, and Madame Bauche forces Marie to marry the Capitaine instead. Marie reluctantly agrees, and the wedding takes place, though she remains sullen and silent. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Marriage The forced marriage of Marie to the Capitaine, despite her love for Adolphe, highlights the theme of marriage as a duty rather than a romantic union. ### Family Duty and Sacrifice Marie sacrifices her own happiness to obey Madame Bauche, while Adolphe is sent away for the sake of family order. ### Economic Hardship and Charity Marie's status as a charity child and her lack of agency reflect the economic dependence of orphans in the 19th century. ## Character check-ins ### Madame Bauche The stern, autocratic hotel owner who rules with green spectacles and rigid rules. She opposes her son's love for Marie and forces Marie to marry the Capitaine. ### Adolphe Bauche Madame Bauche's son, who falls in love with Marie Clavert. He is sent away for two years and returns to find Marie betrothed to the Capitaine. ### Marie Clavert A charity child raised by Madame Bauche. She loves Adolphe but is forced to marry the Capitaine. She acquiesces sullenly and silently. ### Captain Broughton Referred to as 'Le Capitaine' (Theodore Campan), a pensioned soldier with a black wooden leg. He is Madame Bauche's friend and confidant, and eventually marries Marie. ## Key lines > She had a certain price, from which no earthly consideration would induce her to depart; and there were certain returns for this price in the shape of déjeuners and dinners, baths and beds, which she never failed to give in accordance with the dictates of a strict conscience. Madame Bauche had fixed prices and services that she strictly adhered to, never deviating from her rules. _Describes Madame Bauche's rigid honesty and inflexibility in running her hotel._ > He or she who complained might leave the place at a moment’s notice if it so pleased them. There were always others ready to take their places. Anyone who complained was told they could leave immediately, as there were always other customers waiting. _Illustrates Madame Bauche's authoritarian attitude toward guests._ > It was thought by those who had analysed the subject that the great secret of Madame Bauche’s power lay in her green spectacles. Some believed Madame Bauche's authority came from her intimidating green spectacles. _Highlights the symbolic power of her appearance._ > I know this now, that I was wrong ever to have loved you. I should have been to you as one of the other poor girls in the house. Marie tells Adolphe she regrets loving him and should have remained just another poor girl in the household. _Shows Marie's sorrow and resignation after being forced to marry the Capitaine._ > It was all one to her, she said. Whatever Maman Bauche liked, that she would do; only she would not name a day herself. Marie said she would do whatever Madame Bauche wanted, but refused to set a wedding date herself. _Demonstrates Marie's passive resistance to the forced marriage._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/la-m-re-bauche - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters