The Eustace Diamonds · Chapter
I Cannot Do It explained
Lizzie Eustace spends two days in outward tranquility before her diamond troubles become public.
What happens
Lizzie Eustace spends two days in outward tranquility before her diamond troubles become public. Meanwhile, on the morning of her wedding to Sir Griffin Tewett, Lucinda Roanoke refuses to leave her room, declaring she cannot go through with the marriage. Despite Mrs. Carbuncle's desperate pleas and Lizzie's attempts to intervene, Lucinda remains resolute, and the wedding is called off.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Transaction
Lucinda's forced marriage to Sir Griffin is treated as a financial and social arrangement, with Mrs. Carbuncle desperate to complete the transaction despite Lucinda's horror.
Gender and Power
Lucinda's physical revulsion and ultimate refusal to submit to Sir Griffin highlights her lack of agency within the marriage market, yet her defiance is a rare assertion of power.
Characters to notice
- Lizzie Eustace
Spends two days in quiet contemplation before her diamond scandal becomes public; attempts to persuade Lucinda to marry.
- Lucinda Roanoke
Refuses to leave her room on her wedding day, declaring she cannot marry Sir Griffin Tewett; sits firm with a Bible.
- Mrs. Carbuncle
Desperately tries to convince Lucinda to proceed with the wedding; weeps and collapses when Lucinda refuses.
- Sir Griffin Tewett
Arrives for the wedding but is sent away; had earlier inspected the trousseau with critical eye.
- Mr. Emilius
Present at the pre-wedding evening gathering; casts glances at Lizzie Eustace.
- Lord George de Bruce Carruthers
Mentioned as someone to be informed about the cancelled wedding.
Key passages
“I cannot do it.”
Lucinda declares she is unable to go through with the wedding.
Lucinda's final refusal to marry Sir Griffin, repeated throughout the chapter.
“You have destroyed me altogether, after all that I have done for you.”
Mrs. Carbuncle accuses Lucinda of ruining her after all her efforts.
Mrs. Carbuncle's lament when Lucinda refuses to marry.
“I shall never be married to him. How I shall escape from him—by dying, or going mad—or by destroying him, God only knows.”
Lucinda foresees only tragic outcomes as her escape from Sir Griffin.
Lucinda's dramatic expression of her desperation and hatred.