# A Hero at Home explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

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

## What happens

John Eames and Major Grantly travel together to Guestwick, each on a romantic mission: Eames to propose to Lily Dale, and Grantly to propose to Grace Crawley. Eames is hailed as a hero by his mother and sister, while Grantly grapples with the familial and social consequences of his intended marriage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Both John Eames and Major Grantly are on missions to propose marriage, highlighting the personal and social stakes involved.

### Family and Duty

Major Grantly fears being cut off from his family due to his choice of bride, while John Eames is celebrated by his family for his success.

### Social Class and Reputation

The characters' concerns about social standing and family approval reflect the importance of class in romantic decisions.

## Character check-ins

### Johnny Eames

Travels to Guestwick to propose to Lily Dale; is treated as a hero by his mother and sister.

### Major Grantly

Travels to Allington to propose to Grace Crawley; worries about being cut off from his family.

### Lily Dale

The object of John Eames's romantic mission; he plans to ask her to marry him.

### Grace Crawley

The object of Major Grantly's romantic mission; he intends to propose to her despite her father's troubles.

### Mrs. Dale

Mentioned as a friend of John Eames and the person Major Grantly intends to call upon.

### Mary Eames

John Eames's sister; discusses the mysterious traveler with him.

## Key lines

> He would ask Grace Crawley to be his wife; but he would be ruined by his own success.

He intended to propose to Grace Crawley, but knew that doing so would bring personal ruin.

_Major Grantly's internal conflict about proposing to Grace._

> John Eames had The Times , and the other had the Daily News , and they exchanged papers.

John Eames and Major Grantly swapped newspapers during their train journey.

_A detail of their shared travel experience._

> He was going down to Allington to ask Lily Dale for the last time whether she would be his wife; to ascertain whether he was to be successful or unsuccessful in the one great wish of his life.

He was traveling to Allington to make a final proposal to Lily Dale, determining the outcome of his greatest desire.

_John Eames's purpose for the journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxvii-a-hero-at-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters