The Last Chronicle of Barset · Chapter
The Last Scene at Hogglestock explained
The archdeacon agrees to offer Mr.
What happens
The archdeacon agrees to offer Mr. Crawley the living of St. Ewolds once Grace is engaged to Major Grantly. The dean visits the bishop, who mourns Mrs. Proudie and discusses Mr. Crawley's situation. Major Grantly visits Hogglestock, proposes to Grace, and she accepts. Mr. Crawley returns home and reads the archdeacon's letter offering the living, but hesitates to accept it.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Reputation
The archdeacon's concern about Mr. Crawley's poverty and social standing influences his offer of St. Ewolds.
Love and Marriage
Major Grantly's proposal to Grace and the family negotiations highlight marriage as both a romantic and social contract.
Pride and Humility
Mr. Crawley's hesitation to accept the living reflects his pride and fear of being seen as a charity case.
Characters to notice
- Archdeacon Grantly
Reluctantly agrees to offer St. Ewolds to Mr. Crawley after Grace is engaged to Harry.
- Mrs. Grantly
Defends Grace Crawley and persuades the archdeacon to support the marriage.
- Dean Arabin
Visits the bishop at the palace to discuss Mr. Crawley's situation.
- Bishop Proudie
Receives the dean, mourns Mrs. Proudie, and seeks advice about Mr. Crawley.
- Major Grantly
Visits Hogglestock, proposes to Grace, and she accepts.
- Grace Crawley
Accepts Major Grantly's proposal and shows the archdeacon's letter to her father.
- Mr. Crawley
Returns from Hoggle End, reads the archdeacon's letter, and hesitates to accept the living.
Key passages
“It's all very well for you to say that, my dear; but the whole family are so queer that there is no knowing what the girl may do. She may take up some other fad now, and refuse him point blank.”
The archdeacon worries that Grace might change her mind and reject his son.
Archdeacon Grantly expresses his distrust of the Crawley family's unpredictability.
“I haven’t held up my head since, Mr. Dean.”
The bishop says he has been deeply depressed since his wife's death.
Bishop Proudie confesses his grief to the dean.
“It’s been a deal o’ service to you, Muster Crawley. We hears about it all. If you hadn’t a been dogged, where’d you a been now?”
Giles Hoggett tells Mr. Crawley that his stubborn perseverance saved him.
Giles Hoggett praises Mr. Crawley's doggedness in facing his troubles.