# III: Anastasia Fitzapplejohn explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mary Tomkins receives a letter from Anastasia Fitzapplejohn claiming that John Thomas loves her and urging Mary to release him. Mary confronts John, who insists his heart belongs only to her, but she is deeply distressed and refuses to hear his explanation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The chapter revolves around a love triangle and questions of fidelity and commitment.

### Gender Roles and Women's Agency

Mary asserts her demand for truth and confronts John, while Anastasia boldly writes to claim John's heart.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Crofts

Receives a letter from Anastasia Fitzapplejohn and confronts John Thomas about his fidelity.

### John Smith

Denies Anastasia's claims and tries to explain himself to Mary.

## Key lines

> Only that he pleads a previous promise to you, John Thomas would be my bridegroom.

Anastasia claims that John Thomas would marry her if not for his prior commitment to Mary.

_Anastasia's letter asserts her belief that John loves her._

> Be noble and make him free, and enjoy the undying friendship of Anastasia Fitzapplejohn.

Anastasia asks Mary to release John from his promise and offers her friendship in return.

_Anastasia appeals to Mary's sense of nobility._

> Or keep him in your mercenary bonds, and then you shall know what a raging woman can do.

Anastasia threatens Mary with her wrath if she refuses to let John go.

_Anastasia warns of retaliation if Mary does not comply._

> Who but you, my poppet?

John insists that Mary is the only one who has his heart.

_John reassures Mary of his devotion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-iii-anastasia-fitzapplejohn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters