The American Senator · Chapter
The Attorney's Family Is Disturbed explained
Mary Masters receives an invitation from Lady Ushant to visit her in Cheltenham, with Reginald Morton as a potential travel companion.
What happens
Mary Masters receives an invitation from Lady Ushant to visit her in Cheltenham, with Reginald Morton as a potential travel companion. She hesitates to tell her family, fearing her stepmother's opposition, especially regarding Lawrence Twentyman's courtship. After consulting her father, Mr. Masters supports the visit, leading to a domestic conflict with Mrs. Masters, who feels her authority undermined. Despite the tension, Mary's father insists she go, and the plan is settled. Lawrence Twentyman later visits and again presses for an answer, but Mary refuses.
Themes in this chapter
Love vs. Practicality
Mary's internal conflict between accepting Lawrence Twentyman's practical marriage proposal and her personal distaste for him, versus her desire for a visit that offers temporary escape.
Rural Life and Community
The close-knit, gossipy nature of Dillsborough society is evident in the household's reaction to Mary's plans and the interference of neighbors like Mrs. Runciman.
Hypocrisy and Moral Complexity
Mrs. Masters's manipulative behavior—using hysterics and guilt to control Mary—contrasts with her public image as a fair stepmother, revealing moral complexity.
Characters to notice
- Mary Masters
Receives an invitation from Lady Ushant and wishes to accept, but fears her stepmother's reaction. She seeks her father's support and ultimately agrees to go, despite the household turmoil.
- Mr. Masters
The attorney supports Mary's visit to Lady Ushant, overruling his wife's objections. He arranges for Mary to travel with Reginald Morton and provides funds for her trip.
- Mrs. Morton
Referred to as 'Mrs. Masters' in the text; she is the stepmother who strongly opposes Mary's visit, leading to a domestic disturbance and hysterics.
- Lawrence Twentyman
Visits the Masters family and learns of Mary's planned trip. He again presses for an answer to his marriage proposal, but Mary refuses.
- Reginald Morton
Agrees to accompany Mary on her journey to Cheltenham, adjusting his schedule to the 18th of December.
- Lady Ushant
Extends the invitation to Mary to visit her in Cheltenham, with Reginald Morton as a possible travel companion.
Key passages
“She very much wished to accept it. Latterly, for the last month or two, her distaste to the kind of life for which her stepmother was preparing her, had increased upon her greatly.”
Mary strongly wanted to accept the invitation because she had grown increasingly unhappy with the life her stepmother was planning for her.
Highlights Mary's growing dissatisfaction with her stepmother's expectations.
“I think you had better write your letter first, and then he absolutely made her write it in the office and give it to him to be posted.”
Mr. Masters insisted Mary write her acceptance letter immediately and gave it to him to mail before telling her stepmother.
Shows Mr. Masters's decisive support for Mary's visit.
“Your letter has already gone, Mary; and I desire you will write no other without letting me know.”
Mr. Masters told Mary that her letter had already been sent and ordered her not to write any other without his permission.
Demonstrates Mr. Masters's firm stance against his wife's opposition.
