The Great Impersonation · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Dominey confronts Mrs.
What happens
Dominey confronts Mrs. Unthank about her objections to the destruction of the Black Wood, defends himself against accusations of murdering her son Roger, and reveals his belief that she contributed to Rosamund's insanity. He orders the wood razed to the ground, and after a violent incident involving Roger Unthank, the Unthanks are sent away. Rosamund falls unconscious, and Dominey vows to continue clearing the wood.
Themes in this chapter
Madness and Memory
Rosamund's mental state is central, as Dominey blames Mrs. Unthank for nursing her into insanity, and the clearing of the Black Wood is tied to her recovery.
Class and Social Performance
Dominey's authority as a landowner is challenged by Mrs. Unthank's accusations of imposture, highlighting tensions between social roles and personal identity.
Redemption and Transformation
Dominey seeks to transform the Black Wood from a place of horror to a field of corn, symbolizing his attempt to redeem the past and heal Rosamund.
Characters to notice
- Sir Everard Dominey
Confronts Mrs. Unthank, orders the destruction of the Black Wood, and deals with the aftermath of Roger Unthank's attack.
- Rosamund Dominey
Becomes unconscious after the incident with Roger Unthank; supports the clearing of the Black Wood.
- Mrs. Unthank
Protests the destruction of the Black Wood, accuses Dominey of being an impostor, and is forced to leave with her son.
- Roger Unthank
Found hiding in the Black Wood, attacks Dominey, and is subdued and taken away.
- Doctor Harrison
Attends to Rosamund after she falls unconscious and discusses the situation with Dominey.
Key passages
“I am no murderer, Mrs. Unthank. Your son stole out from the shadow of that wood, attacked me in a cowardly manner, and we fought. He was mad when he attacked me, he fought like a madman, and, notwithstanding my superior strength, I was glad to get away alive.”
Dominey denies killing Roger Unthank, explaining that Roger attacked him first and that he barely escaped with his life.
Dominey defends himself against Mrs. Unthank's accusation of murder.
“I will have that place razed to the bare level of the earth, and I will have its poisonous swamps sucked dry. I have hated that foul spot ever since I realised what suffering it meant to her.”
Dominey vows to completely destroy the Black Wood because of the pain it has caused Rosamund.
Dominey's determination to clear the wood is tied to his love for Rosamund.
“If Lady Dominey recovers, you and your son are forgiven. If she never recovers, I wish you both the blackest corner of hell.”
Dominey tells Mrs. Unthank that her fate depends on Rosamund's recovery.
Dominey links the Unthanks' forgiveness to Rosamund's health.