# You Should Remember That I Am His Mother. explained — The Way We Live Now

> Chapter companion for The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Lady Carbury and Hetta arrive at Carbury Manor, where Roger Carbury expresses his strong disapproval of the Melmotte family and of Sir Felix's pursuit of Marie Melmotte for her money. Lady Carbury defends her son, arguing that a wealthy marriage is his only chance, but Roger remains critical. The conversation reveals that the Melmottes are expected at Caversham, and Roger is dismayed that the Longestaffes would host them. Tensions rise as Lady Carbury insists Roger remember she is Felix's mother.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Financial Transaction

Lady Carbury openly argues that Felix must marry a girl with money to save his position, while Roger condemns this as 'stealing a girl's money.'

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Roger accuses Lady Carbury of using his house to further Felix's pursuit of Marie, and criticizes the Longestaffes for hosting the Melmottes despite their low social standing.

### Family Obligation and Selfishness

Lady Carbury prioritizes her son's financial future over moral considerations, while Roger feels used and betrayed by his own family.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Carbury

Arrives at Carbury Manor with Hetta; defends her son Felix's pursuit of Marie Melmotte, arguing financial necessity; feels hurt by Roger's harsh words.

### Roger Carbury

Hosts Lady Carbury and Hetta; openly criticizes the Melmottes and Felix's motives; disapproves of the Longestaffes hosting the Melmottes.

### Hetta Carbury

Travels with her mother to Carbury Manor; blushes with shame when the Melmottes' visit to Caversham is mentioned.

### Sir Felix Carbury

Expected to visit Carbury Manor on Saturday; his pursuit of Marie Melmotte is the central point of contention.

### Augustus Melmotte

Mentioned as an adventurer and swindler; his daughter Marie is the object of Felix's matrimonial plans.

### Marie Melmotte

The heiress Felix hopes to marry; staying at Caversham with the Longestaffes.

## Key lines

> I call that stealing a girl's money, Lady Carbury.

Roger accuses Lady Carbury of endorsing a form of theft by encouraging Felix to marry Marie for her fortune.

_Highlights the moral conflict between financial necessity and ethical behavior._

> At any rate, you should remember that I am his mother.

Lady Carbury appeals to Roger's sense of family loyalty, asking him to temper his criticism of Felix out of respect for her maternal role.

_Emphasizes the tension between familial duty and personal disapproval._

> I look upon him as dirt in the gutter. To me, in my old-fashioned way, all his money, if he has it, can make no difference.

Roger dismisses Melmotte's wealth as irrelevant, viewing him as a low and disreputable person unworthy of social acceptance.

_Reflects the old gentry's disdain for nouveaux riches and their methods._

## Links

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