The Woodlanders · Chapter
XLVI explained
Grace Melbury remains secluded, visiting Giles Winterborne's grave with Marty South.
What happens
Grace Melbury remains secluded, visiting Giles Winterborne's grave with Marty South. Fitzpiers pursues her, promising reform and renouncing his philosophical studies. Grace admits she considered Giles her betrothed lover, causing Fitzpiers pain. Meanwhile, Tim Tangs grows suspicious of Fitzpiers's visits, linking them to his wife Suke Damson, who secretly watches for Fitzpiers on the eve of their emigration.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Fitzpiers's pursuit of Grace and her conflicted feelings highlight the complexities of love and marital reconciliation after betrayal.
Sacrifice and Duty
Grace and Marty's pious visits to Giles's grave demonstrate their sense of duty and devotion to the deceased.
Isolation and Community
Grace's seclusion contrasts with the interconnected lives in Hintock, as seen through Tim Tangs's observations and Suke's secret actions.
Characters to notice
- Grace Melbury
Keeps indoors, visits Giles's grave with Marty, and resists Fitzpiers's advances while admitting her lingering devotion to Giles.
- Edgar Fitzpiers
Pursues Grace persistently, promises to abandon his philosophical studies, and secretly visits Hintock to see her.
- Marty South
Accompanies Grace to Giles Winterborne's grave to place flowers.
- Giles Winterborne
Deceased; his grave is a focal point for Grace and Marty's devotion.
- Timothy Tangs
Grows suspicious of Fitzpiers's visits, linking them to his wife Suke, and prepares to emigrate.
- Suke Damson
Restless on the eve of emigration, secretly watches for Fitzpiers to take a silent farewell.
Key passages
“I think of him as my betrothed lover still. I cannot help it. So that it would be wrong for me to join you.”
Grace tells Fitzpiers she still considers Giles her betrothed, making it impossible to reunite with him.
Grace's confession of enduring love for Giles, even after his death, underscores her emotional conflict.
“I don't know how to reply. Will you promise to leave me quite free as to seeing you or not seeing you?”
Grace asks Fitzpiers to allow her complete freedom in deciding whether to meet him.
Grace's request for autonomy reflects her reluctance to recommit to Fitzpiers.