# Changes at Bragton explained — The American Senator

> Chapter companion for The American Senator by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

As John Morton's health declines, old Mrs. Morton pressures him to change his will in favor of Peter Morton, while Lady Ushant and Mary Masters navigate strained relations. Reginald Morton is effectively banished from Bragton, and Mary struggles with her feelings for him. John Morton dies, and speculation about the inheritance spreads through Dillsborough.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Aristocracy

The chapter highlights class distinctions as Reginald Morton's potential inheritance elevates him above Mary Masters, and Mrs. Morton's scheming reflects aristocratic concerns over lineage and property.

### Justice and Class Bias

Mrs. Morton's pursuit of 'justice' for Peter Morton is driven by bias against Reginald's illegitimate birth, revealing how class prejudice shapes notions of fairness.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Morton

Old Mrs. Morton urges her grandson John to alter his will, scheming to disinherit Reginald Morton in favor of Peter Morton. After John's death, she bitterly mutters 'Bastard!' referring to Reginald.

### John Morton

The sickly squire of Bragton, who dies on Friday, March 5th. He had been considering Mrs. Morton's proposal about the inheritance but never changed his will.

### Mary Masters

Mary visits Lady Ushant reluctantly, feeling conflicted about Reginald Morton. She is troubled by her unspoken love for him and resents his perceived exaltation as Squire of Bragton.

### Reginald Morton

Reginald is barred from visiting Bragton by Mrs. Morton. He dismisses concerns about the inheritance, calling such thoughts 'dirtiness.'

### Lady Ushant

Lady Ushant moves to Hoppet Hall after being effectively banished from Bragton. She continues to visit John Morton and worries about the inheritance, but is rebuked by Reginald.

### Mr. Masters

The attorney is summoned by Mrs. Morton to discuss legal matters. He learns of Lady Ushant's intention to leave half or all of her income to Mary.

## Key lines

> But forty years since a brat had been born at Bragton in opposition to her wishes⁠—by whose means she had been expelled from the place; and now it seemed to her to be simple justice that he should on this account be robbed of that which would otherwise be naturally his own.

Mrs. Morton believes it is only fair to deprive Reginald Morton of the inheritance because his birth forty years ago led to her being forced out of Bragton.

_Reveals Mrs. Morton's long-held grudge and her twisted sense of justice._

> Had he remained simply Mr. Morton of Hoppet Hall it would still have been impossible. But this exaltation of her idol altogether out of her reach was an added injustice.

Mary feels that even if Reginald had stayed a mere Mr. Morton, a match would be impossible, but his rise to squire makes the distance between them even more painful.

_Shows Mary's internal conflict and sense of social barriers._

## Links

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