# VI explained — The Faraway Bride

> Chapter companion for The Faraway Bride by Stella Benson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faraway_bride_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faraway_bride_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_faraway_bride_se/chapters