The American Senator · Chapter
Mary's Letter explained
Mary Masters, enduring a week of silent treatment from her stepmother and father, writes a letter to Lawrence Twentyman definitively refusing his marriage proposal.
What happens
Mary Masters, enduring a week of silent treatment from her stepmother and father, writes a letter to Lawrence Twentyman definitively refusing his marriage proposal. She shows the letter to her father, who reluctantly allows it to be sent despite his wife's opposition. Mrs. Masters attempts to retrieve the letter from the post office but fails. Lawrence receives the letter, is devastated, and abandons his plans to hunt, wandering the fields in misery.
Themes in this chapter
Love vs. Practicality
Mary's refusal of Lawrence Twentyman, despite his material comfort and her family's wishes, underscores the conflict between practical marriage and personal affection.
Marriage and Financial Necessity
Mrs. Masters's insistence on Mary marrying Lawrence highlights the economic pressures behind marriage decisions in rural society.
Hypocrisy and Moral Complexity
Mrs. Masters's attempt to retrieve the letter from the post office reveals her willingness to circumvent propriety for her own ends.
Characters to notice
- Mary Masters
Writes a letter to Lawrence Twentyman refusing his proposal, stands firm against her stepmother's pressure, and reveals to her father that her heart is occupied with another man (Reginald Morton), though she does not name him.
- Lawrence Twentyman
Receives Mary's rejection letter, is deeply distressed, abandons hunting and work, and wanders the fields in despair, encountering Goarly.
- Mr. Masters
Reads Mary's letter, reluctantly allows it to be sent, questions Mary about a possible other love interest (suspecting Mr. Surtees), and faces his wife's reproaches.
- Mrs. Masters
Attempts to retrieve Mary's letter from the post office, fails, and reproaches her husband for allowing the letter to be sent.
- Goarly
Meets Lawrence Twentyman in Dillsborough Wood and is rebuffed by him.
Key passages
“She had gradually grown bold enough to assure herself that her heart was occupied with that man who had travelled with her to Cheltenham; and she felt that that feeling alone must keep her apart from any other love.”
Mary had come to realize that her heart belonged to the man she traveled with to Cheltenham (Reginald Morton), and this conviction prevented her from considering any other suitor.
Reveals Mary's secret love for Reginald Morton, which motivates her refusal of Twentyman.
“He read it with the carving knife in his hand, and then he stood gazing at his mother. 'What is it, Larry?' she asked; 'is anything wrong?' 'Wrong—well; I don't know,' he said. 'I don't know what you call wrong. I shan't hunt; that's all.'”
Lawrence read Mary's rejection letter while holding a carving knife, then stared at his mother and declared he would not go hunting, indicating his devastation.
Shows Lawrence's immediate emotional reaction to the rejection.