The Last Chronicle of Barset · Chapter
Two Visitors to Hogglestock explained
Major Grantly visits the Crawley family at Hogglestock, seeking to speak with Mr.
What happens
Major Grantly visits the Crawley family at Hogglestock, seeking to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Crawley about his intentions toward Grace. The chapter also depicts Mr. Thumble's contentious visit to arrange parish duties, and explores the strained relations between Archdeacon Grantly and his son over the major's engagement.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Humility
Both Major Grantly and Mr. Crawley struggle with pride—the major in his refusal to accept his father's terms, and Mr. Crawley in his defiance of the bishop's authority.
Family and Duty
The conflict between father and son over marriage and allowance highlights the tension between filial duty and personal independence.
Clergy and Morality
Mr. Thumble's visit and the dispute over parish duties underscore the moral and institutional pressures on the clergy.
Characters to notice
- Major Grantly
Visits Hogglestock to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Crawley about his engagement to Grace; struggles with his father's interference and his own pride.
- Mr. Crawley
Receives both Mr. Thumble and Major Grantly; defends his position against the bishop's interference and shows his troubled dignity.
- Mrs. Crawley
Receives Major Grantly with gratitude and anxiety, hoping for his constancy despite the family's troubles.
- Jane Crawley
Present in the room; defends the house against the major's remark that it is sad, and is addressed kindly by him.
- Mr. Thumble
Visits Hogglestock to arrange parish duties; argues with Mr. Crawley and is intimidated by his presence.
- Archdeacon Grantly
Referenced in the chapter's opening as having a strained relationship with his son over the engagement and the sale of Cosby Lodge.
Key passages
“The cross-grainedness of men is so great that things will often be forced to go wrong, even when they have the strongest possible natural tendency of their own to go right.”
Human stubbornness can cause problems even when circumstances naturally favor a good outcome.
Opening reflection on the conflict between Archdeacon Grantly and his son.
“I trust that I may assure you that there is no danger;—none, I mean, to you. The danger to myself and those belonging to me is, alas, very urgent.”
I can promise you are safe, but my own family and I face great peril.
Mr. Crawley speaks to Major Grantly about the risks of his situation.
“There must be no interference, my dear sir—none whatever, if you please,”
You must not interfere at all, if you please.
Mr. Thumble insists on full control over parish duties.