The Windfairies · Chapter
Vain Kesta explained
Kesta, a dairymaid, rejects Adam's proposal to seek a better match.
What happens
Kesta, a dairymaid, rejects Adam's proposal to seek a better match. She flirts with the miller, the bailiff, the banker, the General, and finally the Duke, but her deception is exposed when her cheeses fall out of her basket. She is chased from the town by all the men she tried to ensnare.
Themes in this chapter
Vanity and Ambition
Kesta's vanity leads her to believe she deserves a wealthy husband, driving her to reject Adam and pursue higher-status men.
Social Class and Marriage
The story highlights the rigid class boundaries: Kesta's attempt to marry the Duke is deemed impertinent because she is a common dairymaid.
Characters to notice
- Vain Kesta
The dairymaid who vainly pursues wealthier suitors, rejecting Adam's proposal.
- Adam
The farm worker who proposes to Kesta; she delays her answer to seek better offers.
- The General
One of the suitors Kesta approaches; he later joins in chasing her from town.
Key passages
“I wonder why Adam wishes to marry me? but as he does, most likely some better man would like to do so; it would be folly to marry him till I see if I can't do better.”
Kesta thinks that since Adam wants her, other better men might too, so she decides to wait and see if she can find a wealthier husband.
Shows Kesta's vanity and ambition from the start.
“Hunt her away, she is an impostor—a common farm wench and makes cheeses. She thought herself good enough to be the Duchess!”
The Duke orders Kesta to be chased away because she is just a dairymaid who dared to think she could marry him.
Climax where Kesta's deception is exposed and she is punished for her ambition.