# XXIX: The Debate on Marriage Continued explained — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

> Chapter companion for The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

## What happens

Rasselas and Nekayah continue their debate on marriage, with Rasselas arguing that prudence and benevolence can make marriage happy, while Nekayah counters that late marriages face fixed habits and that reason cannot settle all domestic disputes. The princess concludes that life's goods are opposed and one must choose and be content.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Choice of Life

The chapter explores the choice between early and late marriage, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each.

### The Limits of Reason and Imagination

Nekayah argues that reason cannot settle many domestic disputes, highlighting the limits of rational decision-making in life's choices.

## Character check-ins

### Rasselas

Argues that marriage can be made happy through prudence and benevolence, and that early marriages often lead to disappointment.

### Nekayah

Counters Rasselas's arguments, asserting that late marriages face rigid habits and that reason cannot decide all domestic matters.

### Imlac

Referenced by Nekayah as the source of the maxim that 'Nature sets her gifts on the right hand and on the left.'

## Key lines

> The good of the whole is the same with the good of all its parts.

What benefits all must benefit each individual.

_Rasselas's opening argument for marriage._

> Nature sets her gifts on the right hand and on the left.

Life's blessings are distributed on opposite sides, forcing a choice.

_Nekayah's concluding maxim, attributed to Imlac._

## Links

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