The Faraway Bride · Chapter
VI explained
Wilfred Chew and Seryozha travel toward Pa-tao-kou, discussing devils, matchmaking, and the Ostapenko heiress.
What happens
Wilfred Chew and Seryozha travel toward Pa-tao-kou, discussing devils, matchmaking, and the Ostapenko heiress. Wilfred reflects on his Christian and business ethics. They observe Korean graveside feasts, debate heathenism, and Wilfred recounts his education and London experiences. At the river, Seryozha catches a large fish by hand, then haggles with the innkeeper over its purchase.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Colonialism
Wilfred's critique of Korean grave customs as heathen, contrasted with Seryozha's acceptance, and Wilfred's narrative of Christian education as a path to worldly advantage.
Moral Ambiguity and Self-Deception
Wilfred rationalizes profiting from Mr. Fawcett's ignorance and considers matchmaking for financial gain while maintaining a self-image of Christian charity.
Love and Marriage as Risk
Wilfred's scheme to marry Seryozha to the heiress Tatiana Ostapenko, framed as a dangerous but potentially lucrative venture.
Characters to notice
- Seryozha
Travels with Wilfred, catches a salmon by hand, haggles with the innkeeper, and expresses a naturalistic view of the Korean grave festivities.
- Wilfred Chew
Contemplates matchmaking Seryozha with the Ostapenko heiress for profit, recounts his Christian education and London legal studies, and debates the nature of heathenism.
- Old Sergei
Referenced as Seryozha's father who warned him against visiting the Ostapenkos and called Tatiana a possible child of a bad man.
- Pavel Ostapenko
Mentioned as the cousin of Seryozha's father's uncle's wife, described as a bad boy whose child might also be bad.
- Tatiana Ostapenko
Referenced as the heiress of Mi-san with seven failed marriage attempts, whom Wilfred considers as a match for Seryozha.
- Reverend Oswald Fawcett
Mentioned as Wilfred's revered teacher and idol, whose passion for brass curios Wilfred profited from.
Key passages
“There are cures for devils”
Wilfred suggests that devils can be dealt with, hinting at his matchmaking plan.
Wilfred responds to Seryozha's fear of the Ostapenkos being devils, leading to his scheme.
“These heathens have no proper respect for the dead.”
Wilfred criticizes the Korean custom of feasting at graves, viewing it as irreverent.
Reflects Wilfred's Christian perspective and cultural clash with local practices.
“Yist this most big fish catched outside the net.”
Seryozha announces he caught a large fish that was trapped in a net.
Seryozha's triumph after wrestling the fish from the river.