# XX: I Have a Jupiter of My Own Now explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

> Chapter companion for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mary Lowther returns home after her walk with Walter Marrable, determined to announce their engagement. She tells her aunt, Miss Marrable, who reacts with dismay and concern about their poverty. Walter visits but Miss Marrable refuses to see him. Mary writes a letter to Janet Fenwick, expressing her deep love for Walter and her relief at not having accepted Mr. Gilmore, while also writing a difficult letter to Gilmore himself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Mary's passionate love for Walter contrasts with her earlier coldness toward Mr. Gilmore, highlighting the tension between romantic love and practical marriage.

### Family Duty and Forgiveness

Mary seeks her aunt's approval and is grieved by Miss Marrable's disapproval, yet maintains a loving relationship despite the conflict.

### Class and Social Power

The financial constraints of the couple's situation (only £300 a year plus Walter's professional income) underscore the class-based concerns about marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Lowther

Returns home and announces her engagement to Walter Marrable; writes letters to Janet Fenwick and Mr. Gilmore.

### Miss Marrable

Aunt Sarah is displeased and worried about the couple's poverty; refuses to see Walter initially.

### Captain Walter Marrable

Accepted as Mary's lover; visits but is not received by Miss Marrable; discusses their financial prospects.

### Janet Fenwick

Recipient of Mary's letter detailing her love for Walter and her relief about not marrying Mr. Gilmore.

### Harry Gilmore

Mary writes to him breaking off any possibility of engagement, citing esteem and friendship only.

### Mr. Fenwick

Mentioned in Mary's letter as Janet's husband; Mary hopes he will accept Walter as a friend.

## Key lines

> I have a Jupiter of my own now, and need envy no woman the reality of her love.

Mary declares that she now has a perfect love of her own and no longer envies other women their romantic happiness.

_Mary's letter to Janet expresses her complete satisfaction with Walter as her beloved._

> To be his from head to foot! To feel that nothing done for him would be mean or distasteful! To stand at a washtub and wash his clothes, if it were wanted.

Mary is willing to devote herself entirely to Walter, even to the point of performing menial tasks like washing his clothes.

_This illustrates the depth of Mary's love and her readiness for any sacrifice._

> I used to dread the time in which he would have to put his arm round me and kiss me!

Mary admits she previously feared physical intimacy with Mr. Gilmore, contrasting it with her current feelings for Walter.

_Highlights the difference between her forced affection for Gilmore and genuine passion for Walter._

## Links

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