The Last Chronicle of Barset · Chapter
Grace Crawley Goes to Allington explained
Grace Crawley learns from Miss Prettyman that her father has been committed for trial at the assizes.
What happens
Grace Crawley learns from Miss Prettyman that her father has been committed for trial at the assizes. Despite her distress, she decides to visit the Dale family at Allington. Mrs. Crawley, reflecting on Grace's possible attachment to Major Grantly, supports the plan to remove her from the family's worsening poverty and shame. The chapter explores the unique agonies of 'poor gentry' and the quiet preparations for Grace's journey.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Suffering
The chapter vividly describes the unique pangs of poverty among the gentry, including unpaid debts, shabby clothes, and the loss of social standing.
Love and Marriage
Grace's budding romance with Major Grantly is a subtext, with her mother hoping marriage might lift her from poverty.
Pride and Humility
Mr. Crawley's pride in rejecting help contrasts with the family's need to accept charity, such as Miss Prettyman's gifts.
Characters to notice
- Grace Crawley
Grace is informed of her father's committal and decides to go to Allington, torn between love for Major Grantly and family shame.
- Mr. Crawley
Mr. Crawley has been committed for trial; his pride and poverty weigh heavily on the family.
- Mrs. Crawley
Mrs. Crawley arranges for Grace to go to Allington, hoping to shield her from the family's disgrace and poverty.
- Major Grantly
Major Grantly acts as bail for Mr. Crawley and is revealed to have feelings for Grace.
- Miss Prettyman
Miss Prettyman informs Grace of the committal and provides money and a new frock for her journey.
- Lily Dale
Lily Dale is the friend Grace will visit at Allington; she is aware of Grace's situation.
Key passages
“None but they who have themselves been poor gentry—gentry so poor as not to know how to raise a shilling—can understand the peculiar bitterness of the trials which such poverty produces.”
Only those who have experienced the unique hardships of being genteel yet destitute can truly grasp the pain of such poverty.
The narrator reflects on the distinct suffering of impoverished gentlefolk.
“But there are pangs to which, at the time, starvation itself would seem to be preferable.”
Some forms of suffering are so acute that even hunger would be a welcome alternative.
The narrator contrasts physical hunger with the social and emotional torments of the Crawleys.
“I think that she did look for relief on this side of the grave.”
Grace still hoped for happiness in this life, not just in death.
Despite her family's troubles, Grace holds onto hope for a better future, possibly through love.