The Duke’s Children · Chapter
IX: “In Medias Res” explained
Lord Silverbridge and Lady Mabel Grex discuss Frank Tregear's expulsion from the Duke of Omnium's house and Silverbridge's political shift to the Conservatives.
What happens
Lord Silverbridge and Lady Mabel Grex discuss Frank Tregear's expulsion from the Duke of Omnium's house and Silverbridge's political shift to the Conservatives. The chapter includes a dinner at Lord Grex's home with Tregear, political banter, and hints at a potential match between Silverbridge and Lady Mabel.
Themes in this chapter
Political Ideology and Public Life
Silverbridge's shift to Conservatism and the political discussions at Lord Grex's highlight the importance of party allegiance and family expectations.
Social Class and Aristocracy
The conversation about Tregear's expulsion and the matchmaking between Silverbridge and Lady Mabel reflect aristocratic social codes and marriage politics.
Characters to notice
- Lord Silverbridge
Discusses Tregear's situation and his own political change with Lady Mabel; agrees to dine at Lord Grex's.
- Lady Mabel Grex
Teases Silverbridge about Tregear and politics; invites him and Tregear to dinner.
- Frank Tregear
Mentioned as having been turned out of the Duke's house; later joins the dinner at Lord Grex's.
- Miss Cassewary
Returns from church, engages in political talk, and chaperones Lady Mabel.
- Lord Grex
Hosts the dinner; grumbles about politics and his son Percival; appears weary.
Key passages
“Perhaps the method of rushing at once “ in medias res ” is, of all the ways of beginning a story, or a separate branch of a story, the least objectionable.”
Starting a story in the middle of the action is one of the least objectionable ways to begin.
The narrator defends the technique of beginning in the middle of events.
““And so poor Frank has been turned out of heaven?” said Lady Mabel Grex to young Lord Silverbridge.”
Lady Mabel asks Silverbridge if Frank Tregear has been expelled from the Duke's house.
Lady Mabel refers to Tregear's removal from the Duke's residence as being cast out of heaven.