The Way We Live Now · Chapter
The Longestaffe Marriages explained
Georgiana Longestaffe, miserable over her sister Sophia's impending marriage to George Whitstable, quarrels with her family and threatens to write to Mr.
What happens
Georgiana Longestaffe, miserable over her sister Sophia's impending marriage to George Whitstable, quarrels with her family and threatens to write to Mr. Brehgert. Meanwhile, she has been secretly meeting the curate Mr. Batherbolt. On the morning of Sophia's wedding, Georgiana elopes with Mr. Batherbolt. The wedding proceeds, and Georgiana later returns as Mrs. Batherbolt, eventually moving to a living purchased by her father.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Financial Transaction
Sophia's marriage to George Whitstable is a triumph of social and financial security, while Georgiana's elopement with the impoverished curate Mr. Batherbolt is seen as a comedown, yet still 'decent' due to his clerical status.
Family Obligation and Selfishness
Georgiana's rebellion against her family's expectations and her sister's triumph highlights the tension between individual desire and family duty; Lady Pomona and Sophia prioritize the Whitstable wedding over Georgiana's crisis.
Gender and Power
Georgiana's limited options—marriage to a suitable man or social ruin—and her eventual elopement as a desperate act of agency reflect the powerlessness of women in Victorian society.
Characters to notice
- Georgiana Longestaffe
Wretched and humiliated by her sister's marriage, she quarrels with her family, threatens to resume the Brehgert alliance, and ultimately elopes with Mr. Batherbolt.
- Lady Pomona Longestaffe
Struggles to manage Georgiana's ill-humour and the tension in the household; learns of Georgiana's walks with Mr. Batherbolt but postpones telling her husband.
- Sophia Longestaffe
Now proud and tyrannical in her engagement to George Whitstable; insists on returning Mr. Brehgert's watch and chain, and later ensures her own wedding proceeds despite Georgiana's elopement.
- George Whitstable
The bridegroom, petted and giving himself airs; entrusted with returning the watch and chain to Mr. Brehgert.
- Adolphus Longestaffe
Absent in London dealing with Melmotte's affairs; returns only on the eve of Sophia's wedding, bringing Dolly.
- Dolly Longestaffe
Attends his sister's wedding reluctantly, bringing a large china dog as a present; his money affairs are comfortably arranged.
Key passages
“It was but the other day that she had looked down from a very great height on her elder sister, and had utterly despised the squire of Toodlam.”
Not long ago, Georgiana had felt superior to her sister Sophia and had scorned George Whitstable.
Highlights Georgiana's reversal of fortune and humiliation.
“I think Mr. Brehgert ought to have his watch and chain back.”
Sophia insists that the watch and chain given by Mr. Brehgert should be returned.
Illustrates the family's concern with propriety and severing ties with the unsuitable suitor.
“But at nine o’clock on the morning set apart for that marriage, they were all astounded by the news that Georgiana had run away with Mr. Batherbolt.”
On the morning of Sophia's wedding, the family was shocked to learn that Georgiana had eloped with the curate.
Climactic moment of the chapter, revealing Georgiana's secret rebellion.