The Virginian · Chapter
To Fit Her Finger explained
The Virginian orders two rings from the East to fit Molly's finger, setting their wedding date for July 3rd.
What happens
The Virginian orders two rings from the East to fit Molly's finger, setting their wedding date for July 3rd. Molly insists on marrying in Wyoming rather than Vermont, rejecting the world's judgment. The Virginian cleverly learns about birthstones from Mrs. Henry and designs an opal ring set with diamonds, combining their month stones. He measures Molly's finger with a grass ring. As June ends, Molly secretly longs for her mother's presence but it is too late.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Romance
The Virginian's careful planning of the rings and the wedding date reflects his deep love and commitment to Molly.
Civilization vs. Wilderness
Molly chooses to marry in the wild Cattle Land rather than in the civilized East, rejecting societal judgment.
Nature and the Landscape
The open sky and frontier soil are central to Molly's wedding vision, and the grass ring symbolizes their connection to the land.
Characters to notice
- The Virginian
Orders rings from the East, designs an opal ring with diamonds, measures Molly's finger with a grass ring, and carries the wedding ring around his neck.
- Molly Stark Wood
Insists on marrying in Wyoming, hides a frozen spot in her heart due to her mother's silence, and secretly longs for her mother as the wedding approaches.
- Mrs. Henry
Educates the Virginian about birthstones and opals, helping him choose the ring design.
- Judge Henry
Accompanies the Virginian and Mrs. Henry on a mountain climb to mark boundary corners.
- Steve
Mentioned in the narrator's memory as one who has passed away, contributing to the Virginian's sadness.
- Shorty
Mentioned in the narrator's memory as one who has passed away, buried by the Virginian.
Key passages
“You will come back to it. If there was a headstone for every man that once pleasured in his freedom here, yu' would see one most every time yu' turned your head. It's a heap sadder than a graveyard—but yu' love it all the same.”
The Virginian tells the narrator that the plains are filled with the memory of men who loved their freedom, making it a sad but beloved place.
Reflects the Virginian's melancholy wisdom about the cost of frontier life.
“It was a commission of cheerfulness that he now gave, being distant from where rings are to be bought.”
The Virginian cheerfully tasked the narrator with buying rings from the East, despite the sadness he carries.
Highlights the Virginian's ability to find joy despite past sorrows.
“Not Vermont, but Wyoming, should be her wedding place. No world's voices should be whispering, no world's eyes should be looking on, when she made her vow to him and received his vow.”
Molly decides to marry in Wyoming to avoid the judgment and gossip of society.
Shows Molly's defiance of social norms and her commitment to the frontier.
“Thus was her month stone joined with his, that their luck and their love might be inseparably clasped.”
The Virginian designed the ring with both their birthstones to symbolize their union and shared fortune.
Illustrates the Virginian's romantic and symbolic gesture.