# Conclusion explained — The Black Arrow

> Chapter companion for The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

The chapter concludes with the wedding of Dick Shelton and Joanna Sedley, officiated by Lord Foxham in the church of Holywood. Richard of Gloucester briefly encounters Joanna and Alicia Risingham, displaying his characteristic brusqueness. After the ceremony, the wedding party enjoys a breakfast while Gloucester's army marches toward his future kingdom. The story ends with Dick and Joanna living peacefully in the forest, and the fates of Lawless and other characters are resolved.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The chapter culminates in the wedding of Dick and Joanna, symbolizing their enduring love and commitment.

### War and Political Conflict

The backdrop of Gloucester's military campaign underscores the ongoing civil strife.

### Class and Social Hierarchy

Gloucester's offer of a 'brave marriage' to Joanna highlights the intersection of class, power, and personal choice.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Foxham

Leads his ward Joanna to the church and arranges the wedding.

### Joanna Sedley

Marries Dick Shelton, asserting her desire to be his wife despite Gloucester's offer.

### Alicia Risingham

Present as Joanna's companion; she inadvertently insults Gloucester but is forgiven.

### Richard of Gloucester

Crosses paths with the wedding party, offers Joanna a marriage, and departs with his army.

### Dick Shelton

Marries Joanna and lives peacefully with her in the forest.

### Will Lawless

Ends his life as a friar under the name Brother Honestus, enjoying a pension.

### Sir John Hamley

Courts Alicia Risingham at the wedding breakfast.

## Key lines

> ‘I ask no more of Heaven, my lord, than but to die Sir Richard’s wife,’ returned Joanna.

Joanna tells Gloucester that her only wish is to be married to Dick, even if it means dying as his wife.

_Joanna's defiance of Gloucester's offer underscores her loyalty to Dick._

> ‘He is straight, my mistress,’ replied Richard, calmly. ‘I am the only crookback of my party; we are else passably well shapen.’

Gloucester responds to Alicia's concern about her potential husband's physique by noting that he is the only deformed one among his followers.

_Gloucester's self-aware remark about his own deformity shows his sharp wit and acceptance of his physical condition._

> Thenceforth the dust and blood of that unruly epoch passed them by. They dwelt apart from alarms in the green forest where their love began.

After their wedding, Dick and Joanna live peacefully in the forest, removed from the violence of the era.

_The conclusion emphasizes the couple's retreat into a pastoral idyll, contrasting with the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/viii-conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters