The American Senator · Chapter
Not in Love explained
Reginald Morton, after his encounter with Mary Masters and Lawrence Twentyman, is consumed by irrational anger and self-reproach.
What happens
Reginald Morton, after his encounter with Mary Masters and Lawrence Twentyman, is consumed by irrational anger and self-reproach. He convinces himself he is not in love with Mary, yet is disgusted by the thought of her with Twentyman. He resolves to avoid her and promote the match, but his feelings betray him. Later, he learns from Mr. Runciman that his cousin John Morton is coming to Bragton.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Aristocracy
Reginald's contempt for Twentyman's attire and manners highlights the class divide between the landed gentry and the farming class.
Love vs. Practicality
Reginald's internal conflict between his irrational feelings for Mary and his rational resolve to promote her marriage to Twentyman exemplifies the tension between emotion and pragmatism.
Characters to notice
- Reginald Morton
Filled with irrational anger and self-disgust after his encounter with Mary and Twentyman; resolves to avoid Mary but is unable to control his feelings.
- Mary Masters
Reginald is angry with her for keeping an appointment with Twentyman, though he admits she gave no cause for offense.
- Lawrence Twentyman
Reginald views him as a vulgar lover, though he is a well-made man in suitable country attire; Larry is unaware of Reginald's jealousy and tries to apologize.
- Mr. Runciman
Innkeeper who informs Reginald of John Morton's impending arrival at Bragton and discusses the difficulty of supplying horses.
- John Morton
The young squire is coming down to Bragton next week, as reported by Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Runciman.
Key passages
“He assured himself that he was not in love with her himself, and that he had no idea of falling in love with her; but it sickened him to think that a girl who had been brought up by his aunt, who had been loved at Bragton, whom he had liked, who looked so like a lady, should put herself on a par with such a wretch as that.”
Reginald repeatedly told himself he was not in love with Mary, yet he was deeply disturbed by the idea of her marrying someone he considered beneath her.
Reginald's denial of his own feelings while being consumed by jealousy.
“He would give sage advice to Mary Masters as to the wisdom of establishing herself—having not an hour since made up his mind that he would never see her again!”
He planned to counsel Mary on the prudence of marriage, even though he had just resolved to avoid her entirely.
Reginald's contradictory resolutions reveal his inner turmoil.