The Luck of Barry Lyndon · Chapter
I Provide Nobly for My Family explained
Barry recounts his marriage to Lady Lyndon, the opposition from her family and society, and his subsequent rise to wealth and status.
What happens
Barry recounts his marriage to Lady Lyndon, the opposition from her family and society, and his subsequent rise to wealth and status. He details the schemes he employed, including the use of a letter from Lady Lyndon to further his suit, and the eventual wedding at St. George's, Hanover Square. He also describes his efforts to secure a match between his cousin Ulick Brady and the heiress Miss Kiljoy, culminating in a masquerade at Lord Charlemont's. Barry concludes by assuming the name Barry Lyndon and embarking on a life of prosperity.
Themes in this chapter
Social Climbing and Ambition
Barry's relentless pursuit of wealth and status through marriage and manipulation is central to the chapter.
Deception and Self-Delusion
Barry employs elaborate schemes, including forged letters and a fake arrest, to achieve his goals, while rationalizing his actions as honorable.
Marriage as Transaction
Marriages are portrayed as financial and social arrangements, as seen in Barry's union with Lady Lyndon and his plot for Ulick and Miss Kiljoy.
Class and Pedigree
Barry's obsession with titles, coats of arms, and social recognition underscores the importance of class in 18th-century society.
Characters to notice
- Barry Lyndon
Narrator and protagonist; orchestrates his marriage to Lady Lyndon and schemes for his cousin Ulick.
- Lady Lyndon
Widow of Sir Charles Lyndon; marries Barry after being pressured by family and manipulated by him.
- Lord Bullingdon
Lady Lyndon's son; opposes Barry and refuses to accept him as a father figure.
- Ulick Brady
Barry's cousin; pursued by Barry to marry Miss Kiljoy for her fortune.
- Miss Kiljoy
Heiress and friend of Lady Lyndon; target of Barry's scheme to marry Ulick.
- Rev. Mr. Runt
Lady Lyndon's chaplain; performs the marriage ceremony and accompanies the party to the masquerade.
- Lord Tiptoff
Opposes Barry's marriage to Lady Lyndon; referred to as 'old fury of a marchioness'.
- Monsieur de Balibari
Barry's uncle; mentioned as recipient of Barry's triumphant letter about the marriage.
Key passages
“Thus, by the sage influence of my Lady Tiptoff, the Countess of Lyndon’s natural friends and family were kept from her society.”
Lady Tiptoff's interference isolated Lady Lyndon from her family and friends.
Barry credits Lady Tiptoff's opposition with inadvertently helping his suit.
“I determined to make use, if not of the services, at any rate of the name of Captain Thunder, and put my cousin Ulick in possession of his lady and her ten thousand pounds.”
Barry planned to use the reputation of the notorious Captain Thunder to help his cousin Ulick marry Miss Kiljoy and gain her fortune.
Barry's scheme involves exploiting a known criminal figure for personal gain.
“A year from that day, on the 15th of May, in the year 1773, I had the honour and happiness to lead to the altar Honoria, Countess of Lyndon.”
Barry married Lady Lyndon on May 15, 1773.
The culmination of Barry's pursuit of Lady Lyndon.
