# III: The Archdeacon's Threat explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

> Chapter companion for The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The archdeacon confronts his son Major Grantly about his rumored attachment to Grace Crawley, threatening to stop his income if he marries her. The major defiantly asserts his independence, leading to a tense family dinner and a gloomy evening at the rectory.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Duty

The archdeacon asserts his authority over his son's marriage choice, while Major Grantly struggles between filial duty and personal desire.

### Social Class and Reputation

The archdeacon's objection to Grace Crawley is rooted in her poverty and the scandal surrounding her father, highlighting class prejudice.

### Love and Marriage

Major Grantly's determination to marry for love despite his father's threats reflects the tension between romantic ideals and practical considerations.

## Character check-ins

### Archdeacon Grantly

Confronts his son about Grace Crawley, threatens to stop his income, and is deeply unhappy about the potential marriage.

### Major Grantly

Defends his attachment to Grace Crawley, asserts his independence, and refuses to be swayed by his father's threats.

### Griselda Grantly

The marchioness, visiting the rectory, maintains a cold and distant demeanor, causing tension in the family.

### Mrs. Grantly

Struggles to maintain family harmony during the tense dinner and later cries in her room over the situation.

### Grace Crawley

The subject of the archdeacon's disapproval; Major Grantly defends her as a well-educated lady despite her poverty.

### Mr. Harding

Mentioned as the grandfather whom Griselda requested not to be invited to the rectory, causing Mrs. Grantly distress.

## Key lines

> I claim the privilege of a man of my age to do as I please in such a matter as marriage. Miss Crawley is a lady. Her father is a clergyman, as is mine. Her father's oldest friend is my uncle. There is nothing on earth against her except her poverty.

Major Grantly asserts his right to choose his own wife, arguing that Grace Crawley is a lady and a clergyman's daughter, with no flaw but her lack of wealth.

_Major Grantly defends his choice of Grace Crawley against his father's objections._

> Do you mean to tell me, Henry, that you are in love with Miss Crawley?

The archdeacon directly asks his son if he loves Grace Crawley.

_The archdeacon presses his son for a direct answer about his feelings._

> I do not think much of riches, but it is always well that a gentleman's wife or a gentleman's daughter should have a sufficiency to maintain her position in life.

The archdeacon downplays the importance of wealth while emphasizing the need for a woman to have enough to uphold her social standing.

_The archdeacon's hypocritical stance on money and class._

## Links

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