Short Fiction · Chapter
Dame the Second explained
Barbara, the daughter of Sir John Grebe, is pursued by the young Earl of Uplandtowers, who is determined to win her despite her lack of affection.
What happens
Barbara, the daughter of Sir John Grebe, is pursued by the young Earl of Uplandtowers, who is determined to win her despite her lack of affection. She elopes with Edmond Willowes, a handsome but lower-born man, and they marry secretly. After a fire in Venice, Willowes is severely disfigured. When he returns to England, Barbara is horrified by his appearance and flees from him. Willowes leaves a note saying he will return in a year, but he does not, and Barbara is consumed by remorse.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The chapter explores the complexities of love and marriage through Barbara's elopement with Willowes and her subsequent inability to accept his changed appearance.
Deception and Secrecy
Secrecy surrounds Barbara's elopement and the hidden nature of her marriage to Willowes.
Sacrifice and Duty
Barbara's sense of duty conflicts with her visceral reaction to Willowes's disfigurement, leading to her remorse and desire for penance.
Characters to notice
- Barbara
Barbara is the central figure of this chapter, a young woman who elopes with Edmond Willowes but is unable to accept his disfigurement after a fire.
- Lord Uplandtowers
Lord Uplandtowers is the persistent suitor of Barbara, determined to win her despite her initial dislike.
- Sir John Grebe
Sir John Grebe is Barbara's father, a baronet whose lands are extensive.
- Edmond Willowes
Edmond Willowes is Barbara's husband, a handsome man who becomes severely disfigured in a fire and later leaves after Barbara's rejection.
Key passages
“It was apparently an idea, rather than a passion, that inspired Lord Uplandtowers' resolve to win her.”
Lord Uplandtowers' determination to marry Barbara seemed driven more by a calculated plan than by genuine romantic feeling.
This sets up the Earl's cold, persistent pursuit of Barbara.
“She should have regarded him as an afflicted being, and not have been this slave to mere eyesight, like a child.”
Barbara felt she ought to have seen him as a suffering person rather than being controlled by her visual aversion, as if she were a child.
This reflects Barbara's deep remorse after fleeing from her disfigured husband.