The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
XLV: What Shall I Do with Myself? explained
Mary Lowther, staying in Loring, receives news and hints from her aunt and Parson John Marrable about Captain Walter Marrable's favorable reception at Dunripple and his potential marriage to Edith Brownlow.
What happens
Mary Lowther, staying in Loring, receives news and hints from her aunt and Parson John Marrable about Captain Walter Marrable's favorable reception at Dunripple and his potential marriage to Edith Brownlow. Despite her lingering feelings, Mary resolves not to interfere and decides to accept Janet Fenwick's invitation to visit Bullhampton, hoping to move forward.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Mary's internal conflict over Walter's potential marriage to Edith Brownlow and her own future with Gilmore.
Family Duty and Forgiveness
Miss Marrable and Parson John's efforts to guide Mary toward a practical family-oriented decision.
Community and Gossip
Parson John's deliberate spreading of news about Walter's doings to influence Mary's choices.
Characters to notice
- Mary Lowther
Struggles with the news of Walter's possible marriage to Edith Brownlow and decides to visit Bullhampton.
- Miss Marrable
Deliberately drops hints about Walter's prospects at Dunripple to help Mary move on.
- Captain Walter Marrable
Reported to be enjoying life at Dunripple and possibly courting Edith Brownlow.
- Parson John Marrable
Craftily spreads news about Walter's situation at Dunripple to discourage Mary's hopes.
- Janet Fenwick
Writes to Mary inviting her to Bullhampton and promising not to pressure her about marriage.
- Harry Gilmore
Mentioned as a man who wants to marry Mary, but she is not afraid of him.
Key passages
“It seemed to her to have been hard that the real state of things should not have been explained to her before she gave up her lover.”
Mary felt it was unfair that she had not been told the full truth about Walter's prospects before she ended their engagement.
Highlights Mary's sense of injustice regarding the timing of information.
“If one could only ordain that things should be as though they had never been! That, however, is impossible, and one can only endeavour to live so as to come as nearly as possible to such a state.”
Mary wishes she could erase the past, but knows she must move forward as best she can.
Reflects Mary's resignation and determination to adapt.