The Dewy Morn · Chapter
XVII explained
Felise waits anxiously for Martial, who does not return for days.
What happens
Felise waits anxiously for Martial, who does not return for days. The Misses Barnard, particularly the younger, suspect Felise's motives and oppose her relationship with Martial, hoping instead for him to marry the newly wealthy Rosa Wood. Rosa receives a legacy of four thousand pounds, which only deepens her misery as it comes too late to secure Martial. Martial struggles with financial ruin and resolves to resist his attraction to Felise, but ultimately cannot stay away.
Themes in this chapter
Beauty and Aesthetic Worship
Martial's compulsion to look upon Felise as a 'Picture' despite his resolve to stay away illustrates the irresistible pull of idealized beauty.
Social Class and Injustice
The Misses Barnard's opposition to Felise is rooted in class and money; Rosa's legacy highlights the irony of wealth without happiness.
Characters to notice
- Felise Goring
Waits anxiously for Martial, correctly interprets the Misses Barnard's hostility, and counsels Martial to sell his horse.
- Martial Barnard
Stays away from Felise out of financial shame and a resolve to retain his freedom, but is drawn back by his worship of beauty.
- Rosa Wood
Receives a legacy of four thousand pounds, which mocks her because it comes too late to win Martial back.
- Miss Barnard (eldest)
Initially admires Felise but is overborne by her younger sister's suspicions; sends for the album instead of fetching it herself.
- Mary Shaw
Mentioned as the person who can obtain a glimpse of Felise for Martial on Wednesday evenings.
Key passages
“Could not you let me write my scenes one after the other, and supply the connecting-links for me out of your own imagination, as you do on the stage?”
The narrator wishes readers would fill in the gaps themselves, as audiences do in a play.
The narrator directly addresses the reader, lamenting the difficulty of explaining transitions in a novel versus a drama.
“Four thousand pounds, entirely her own, absolutely at her fingers'-ends; four thousand pounds, and not one moment of happiness!”
Rosa's legacy brings her no joy, only bitter irony.
Highlights the theme of money's inability to buy emotional fulfillment.