The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Polly at Home explained
Davy visits Polly, now a free and independent woman living in a cottage near Braunton, and reflects on their past connection.
What happens
Davy visits Polly, now a free and independent woman living in a cottage near Braunton, and reflects on their past connection. He learns from Nanette (the widow Heaviside) about a farmer's wife, Mrs. Shapland, who may know about the stolen children. Davy also courts Polly, winning over her grandmother with boldness, and proposes a plan involving his recent discovery, emphasizing secrecy.
Themes in this chapter
Class Mobility and Ambition
Polly's rise from servant to independent landowner and Davy's strategic courtship reflect themes of social advancement.
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy's plan hinges on secrecy and careful revelation of information, emphasizing the manipulation of truth.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Visits Polly, courts her, and shares his plan for a discovery.
- Polly Cockhanterbury
Now free and independent, living in a cottage; Davy proposes to her.
- Nanette
Now calling herself the widow Heaviside; provides Davy with information about Mrs. Shapland.
- Sir Philip Bampfylde
Mentioned as helping Nanette; Davy seeks to avoid alarming him.
- Parson Chowne
Davy is cautious not to arouse him until the proper time.
Key passages
“What was become of my pretty Polly, the lover of my truthful tales, and did she still remember a brave, though not young officer in the Navy, who had saved her from the jaws of death, by catching smallpox from her?”
Davy wonders about Polly's whereabouts and whether she remembers him saving her from smallpox.
Davy reflects on his past heroic act and his connection with Polly.
“She was no longer a servant now, but free and independent, and therefore entitled to take the veil, and she showed her high spirit by doing this, to the deep indignation of all our maidservants.”
Polly is now a free woman, wearing a veil to signify her independence, which angers the other maids.
Polly's social status has changed, causing resentment among former peers.
“I told her that she was a great deal too young to have any right to an opinion; and when she should come to my time of life, she would find me ready to hearken her.”
Davy boldly tells Polly's grandmother she is too young to have an opinion, winning her over with defiance.
Davy uses audacity to persuade the elderly grandmother to consent to his marriage.