Short Fiction · Chapter
II: The Young Wife explained
Farmer Lodge returns home from market with his new young wife, Gertrude.
What happens
Farmer Lodge returns home from market with his new young wife, Gertrude. A boy stares intently at her, later reporting details to his mother, Rhoda Brook, who is clearly obsessed with the new wife. Rhoda sends her son to church to observe Gertrude's appearance, and she builds a mental image of her rival.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Longing
Rhoda Brook's intense curiosity and refusal to see Gertrude in person highlight her isolation and longing for what she has lost.
Deception and Secrecy
Rhoda's covert gathering of information through her son suggests hidden motives and secrets surrounding the marriage.
Characters to notice
- Gertrude Lodge
The young wife, described as fresh-faced and lovely, shy about her noisy gown in church.
- Rhoda Brook
The boy's mother, a milkmaid with a past connection to Farmer Lodge, who interrogates her son about Gertrude.
- Mr. Lodge
Farmer Lodge, the husband, proud and seemingly pleased with his new wife.
Key passages
“Her face too was fresh in colour, but it was of a totally different quality—soft and evanescent, like the light under a heap of rose-petals.”
Her complexion was delicate and fleeting, like sunlight filtered through rose petals.
Describes Gertrude's youthful beauty in contrast to her husband's ruddy farmer's face.
“It whewed and whistled so loud when it rubbed against the pews that the lady coloured up more than ever for very shame at the noise, and pulled it in to keep it from touching; but when she pushed into her seat, it whewed more than ever.”
Her dress rustled loudly against the pews, making her blush with embarrassment as she tried to quiet it.
Shows Gertrude's discomfort and self-consciousness in her new role.