The Way We Live Now · Chapter
Lady Pomona’s Dinner Party explained
Roger Carbury is left alone at home while Lady Carbury, Sir Felix, and Hetta attend a grand dinner party at Caversham.
What happens
Roger Carbury is left alone at home while Lady Carbury, Sir Felix, and Hetta attend a grand dinner party at Caversham. Roger broods over his loneliness and his resentment toward Paul Montague, whom he believes is robbing him of Hetta's affection. At the party, Lady Carbury attempts to ingratiate herself with Mr. Melmotte, while Sir Felix sits next to Marie Melmotte, and they discuss their engagement and the possibility of eloping. The evening is marked by stiff formality and strained conversation.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Financial Transaction
Lady Carbury actively promotes Felix's courtship of Marie Melmotte as a financial arrangement, hoping to secure Melmotte's wealth for her son.
Deception and Hypocrisy
Lady Carbury falsely praises Felix's diligence in business to Melmotte, while Felix himself is indifferent to the engagement's financial risks and contemplates elopement.
Love vs. Practicality
Marie Melmotte's romantic determination to elope clashes with the practical concerns of wealth and family approval, while Roger Carbury's practical loneliness contrasts with his unrequited love for Hetta.
Characters to notice
- Roger Carbury
Left alone at Carbury, he dwells on his loneliness and his resentment toward Paul Montague, feeling that Montague has robbed him of Hetta's love.
- Lady Carbury
Attends the dinner party and tries to flatter Mr. Melmotte, praising her son's supposed diligence in business to advance Felix's prospects with Marie.
- Sir Felix Carbury
Sits next to Marie Melmotte at dinner, discusses their engagement, and considers the risks of eloping with her.
- Marie Melmotte
Sits next to Sir Felix at dinner, tells him she has informed her mother of their engagement, and expresses determination to follow through despite her father's potential objections.
- Augustus Melmotte
Dines with Lady Carbury, is dismissive of her flattery, and shows little interest in Sir Felix's role at the board.
- Hetta Carbury
Attends the dinner with her mother and brother; her relationship with Roger Carbury is strained as she feels pity rather than love for him.
Key passages
“He sat on the parapet of the bridge in front of the house listening to the sound of the horses’ feet, and telling himself that there was nothing left for him in life.”
Roger Carbury sat on the bridge, listening to the carriage fade away, and felt utterly hopeless.
Illustrates Roger's deep loneliness and despair after being left behind.
““I trust that he is diligent, there,” she said; “and that he is aware of the great privilege which he enjoys in having the advantage of your counsel and guidance.””
Lady Carbury told Melmotte she hoped Felix was working hard and appreciated the privilege of Melmotte's guidance.
Shows Lady Carbury's flattery and manipulation to advance Felix's prospects.
““You’ll stick to it?” he asked. “Oh, yes;—indeed I will. Now that I’ve once said it nothing will ever turn me.””
Felix asked Marie if she would remain committed, and she firmly promised she would never change her mind.
Highlights Marie's determination to elope despite the risks.