The Last Chronicle of Barset · Chapter
LV: Framley Parsonage explained
Grace Crawley is staying at Framley Parsonage during her father's troubles, a visit orchestrated by Lady Lufton despite disapproval from Archdeacon Grantly and others.
What happens
Grace Crawley is staying at Framley Parsonage during her father's troubles, a visit orchestrated by Lady Lufton despite disapproval from Archdeacon Grantly and others. Major Grantly visits to see Grace, but she flees, feeling she can be nothing to him due to her father's disgrace. Grace declines a dinner invitation at Framley Hall, showing her sensitivity to her father's situation.
Themes in this chapter
Gossip and Public Opinion
The impropriety of Grace's visit is debated by Lady Lufton, Archdeacon Grantly, and Mr. Oriel, showing how public opinion shapes actions and judgments.
Pride and Humility
Grace's humility leads her to decline social engagements and flee from Major Grantly, feeling unworthy due to her father's disgrace.
Family and Duty
Grace's sense of duty to her father's reputation governs her actions, while Lady Lufton and Mrs. Robarts act out of familial and social duty to protect her.
Characters to notice
- Grace Crawley
Staying at Framley Parsonage; declines dinner invitation due to father's disgrace; flees from Major Grantly's visit.
- Lady Lufton
Orchestrated Grace's visit; defends it against Archdeacon Grantly; praises Grace's character and beauty.
- Archdeacon Grantly
Disapproves of Grace's visit to Framley Parsonage, considering it improper given Mr. Robarts' role in the ecclesiastical commission.
- Major Grantly
Visits Framley to see Grace; expresses his devotion; Grace flees from him.
- Mr. Robarts
Vicar of Framley; part of the ecclesiastical commission judging Mr. Crawley; hosts Grace at the parsonage; feels uneasy about the situation.
- Mrs. Robarts
Hosts Grace at Framley Parsonage; mediates between Grace and Major Grantly.
Key passages
“My dear archdeacon, we all know the bishop to be such a fool and the bishop's wife to be such a knave, that we cannot allow ourselves to be governed in this matter by ordinary rules.”
Lady Lufton argues that because the bishop is foolish and his wife malicious, normal rules of propriety can be set aside.
Lady Lufton justifies Grace's visit despite the ecclesiastical commission.
“If I could be your servant I would serve you. But I can be nothing to you, because of papa's disgrace.”
Grace tells Major Grantly she would do anything for him but cannot accept his affection due to her father's shame.
Grace's sense of unworthiness due to her father's situation.
“In poor papa's state I feel that I ought not to do anything that looks like gaiety. I ought never to forget it;—not for a moment.”
Grace feels she must avoid any appearance of enjoyment while her father is in trouble.
Grace's refusal to attend the dinner party.