# Job's Comforters explained — The Eustace Diamonds

> Chapter companion for The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mrs. Carbuncle and Lizzie Eustace have been in London for six to seven weeks, dealing with the aftermath of the diamond robbery. Mrs. Carbuncle persists in pushing her niece Lucinda Roanoke to marry Sir Griffin Tewett, while Lizzie focuses on revenge against Lord Fawn for breaking their engagement. Frank Greystock continues to pressure Lord Fawn for a written explanation of his conduct, and Lord Fawn, feeling the weight of public opinion and the collapse of legal support from Mr. Camperdown, begins to reconsider his position, even contemplating marriage to Lizzie as a way out of his difficulties. Mrs. Hittaway, determined to prevent the match, plans to write to Scotland to enlist Lord Mount Thistle's help.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Transaction

Mrs. Carbuncle's relentless push for Lucinda to marry Sir Griffin and Lord Fawn's consideration of marrying Lizzie for social and financial stability illustrate marriage as a strategic arrangement.

### Social Climbing and Ambition

Lizzie's pursuit of revenge and her ambitions involving the Corsair and Frank, as well as Mrs. Carbuncle's social maneuvering, highlight the theme of social climbing.

### Deception and Perjury

The ongoing suspicion that Lizzie may have stolen her own diamonds and the legal maneuvers surrounding the necklace underscore the theme of deception.

## Character check-ins

### Lizzie Eustace

Focuses on revenging herself upon Lord Fawn while also entertaining hopes involving the Corsair and her cousin Frank.

### Frank Greystock

Actively pressures Lord Fawn for a written explanation regarding his broken engagement with Lizzie, believing Lord Fawn is bound to marry her.

### Lord Fawn

Tormented by the demands of Frank Greystock and the advice of his sister Mrs. Hittaway; begins to waver in his resolve against marrying Lizzie as legal support crumbles.

### Mrs. Carbuncle

Perseveres in her efforts to marry her niece Lucinda Roanoke to Sir Griffin Tewett despite opposition from both parties.

### Lucinda Roanoke

The niece whom Mrs. Carbuncle is determined to marry to Sir Griffin Tewett, though she is reluctant.

### Mrs. Hittaway

Strongly opposes Lord Fawn's potential marriage to Lizzie and decides to write to Lord Mount Thistle in Scotland to intervene.

## Key lines

> Mrs. Carbuncle and Lady Eustace had now been up in town between six and seven weeks, and the record of their doings has necessarily dealt chiefly with robberies and the rumours of robberies.

Mrs. Carbuncle and Lizzie have been in London for about six to seven weeks, and their activities have mostly revolved around thefts and gossip about thefts.

_Sets the scene for the chapter, emphasizing the ongoing scandal._

> The match between Sir Griffin and Lucinda was still to be a match. Mrs. Carbuncle persevered in the teeth both of the gentleman and of the lady, and still promised herself success.

The marriage between Sir Griffin and Lucinda was still planned. Mrs. Carbuncle continued her efforts despite opposition from both the man and the woman, confident she would succeed.

_Highlights Mrs. Carbuncle's determination in arranging the marriage._

> Lord Fawn had certainly not spent a happy winter. Between Mrs. Hittaway on one side and Frank Greystock on the other, his life had been a burden to him.

Lord Fawn had a miserable winter, caught between the pressures from his sister Mrs. Hittaway and Frank Greystock.

_Illustrates Lord Fawn's distress over the engagement situation._

> If there be a proceeding which an official man dislikes worse than another, it is a demand for a written explanation.

An official man hates nothing more than being asked to provide a written explanation.

_Reflects Lord Fawn's discomfort with Frank Greystock's demand._

> Now it certainly was the case that poor Lord Fawn in his conduct towards Lizzie had trusted greatly to the support of Mr. Camperdown’s legal proceeding.

Lord Fawn had relied heavily on Mr. Camperdown's legal case to justify his treatment of Lizzie.

_Shows Lord Fawn's reliance on legal backing, which is now gone._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/lvi-job-s-comforters
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters