# XLIII explained — The Woodlanders

> Chapter companion for The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy.

## What happens

Grace Melbury tends to the dying Giles Winterborne in his hut. Dr. Fitzpiers arrives and pronounces that Giles is beyond help. Giles dies peacefully. Fitzpiers reveals that Felice Charmond is also dead, killed in a quarrel linked to Marty South's letter about her hair. Grace, overwhelmed with grief, returns to her father's house on the condition that Fitzpiers leaves. He complies and departs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice and Duty

Giles Winterborne's self-sacrifice for Grace's comfort and Grace's devoted nursing despite her own grief highlight the theme of duty and martyrdom.

### Fate and Irony

The parallel deaths of Giles and Felice Charmond, and the ironic role of Marty's letter in causing the quarrel, underscore the theme of fate and irony.

### Love and Marriage

Grace's rejection of Fitzpiers and her devotion to Giles, along with the dissolution of her marriage, explore the complexities of love and marital bonds.

## Character check-ins

### Grace Melbury

Nurses Giles Winterborne in his final hours, refuses Fitzpiers' medical advice, and returns to her father's house after banishing her husband.

### Giles Winterborne

Dies from a secondary illness, possibly typhoid, while being cared for by Grace.

### Edgar Fitzpiers

Arrives to find Grace nursing Giles, pronounces him dying, reveals Felice Charmond's death, and is banished by Grace.

### Marty South

Arrives after Giles's death; her letter about her hair contributed to the quarrel between Fitzpiers and Mrs. Charmond.

### George Melbury

Accompanies Grace home and tells her about the death of Mrs. Charmond and the role of Marty's letter.

### Felice Charmond

Reported dead by Fitzpiers, killed in a quarrel linked to Marty South's letter.

## Key lines

> He is dying. Nothing can be done, by me or any other man. It will soon be all over. The extremities are dead already.

Fitzpiers declares that Giles is beyond medical help and will die shortly.

_Fitzpiers delivers the grim prognosis with professional detachment._

> He died for me!

Grace believes Giles sacrificed his life for her sake.

_Grace expresses her guilt and sorrow over Giles's death._

> He belongs to neither of us now, and your beauty is no more powerful with him than my plainness.

Marty says that death has made Giles equally inaccessible to both her and Grace, regardless of their appearances.

_Marty reflects on the leveling effect of death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xliii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_woodlanders_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters