The Woodlanders · Chapter
XXII explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Melbury visits Fitzpiers under the pretense of seeking medical advice for Grace's cough, but Fitzpiers instead declares his romantic interest in her and asks for permission to court her. Melbury, thrilled by the prospect of his daughter marrying a man of old family, readily consents and returns home to inform Grace, who is ambivalent about the sudden arrangement. Fitzpiers sends a note to Grace before departing for medical meetings, and Melbury urges her to respond, anxious about securing the advantageous match.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
Melbury's ambition for Grace is rooted in Fitzpiers's 'venerable old family' lineage, overriding any concern for his modest professional standing; he sees the match as a means to elevate Grace's social position.
Love and Marriage
Fitzpiers's impulsive romantic pursuit contrasts with Grace's ambivalence, highlighting the tension between genuine affection and marriage as a social contract arranged by family.
Tradition vs. Modernity
Melbury's old-fashioned faith in family lineage clashes with Fitzpiers's modern view that 'culture and reciprocity of tastes' have replaced family as the basis for marriage.
Characters to notice
- George Melbury
Visits Fitzpiers ostensibly about Grace's cough but is overjoyed when Fitzpiers asks to court her; he values Fitzpiers's family lineage over his professional standing and pressures Grace to accept the match.
- Edgar Fitzpiers
Declares his admiration for Grace to Melbury and asks permission to court her; he is driven by his infatuation after their Midsummer Eve encounter and sends a note to Grace before leaving for medical meetings.
- Grace Melbury
Is informed by her father of Fitzpiers's intentions; she feels ambivalent and conflicted, recognizing Fitzpiers's fascination but not seeing him as a destined husband, and she is troubled by her lingering thoughts of Giles Winterborne.
- Mrs. Melbury
Present during the discussion of Fitzpiers's courtship; she encourages Grace to see the match as a triumph.
Key passages
“That implicit faith in members of long-established families, as such, irrespective of their personal condition or character, which is still found among old-fashioned people in the rural districts reached its full intensity in Melbury.”
Melbury held an unquestioning reverence for old family names, regardless of the individual's actual merit—a belief still common among rural traditionalists.
Highlights Melbury's motivation for favoring Fitzpiers based on lineage rather than character.
“I have been thinking every day of coming to you on the very same errand.”
Fitzpiers claims he was about to approach Melbury himself about Grace, though his intent was romantic rather than medical.
Fitzpiers seizes the opportunity to declare his interest, using Melbury's visit as a pretext.
“You will be restored to the society you’ve been taken away from.”
Melbury tells Grace that marrying Fitzpiers will return her to the educated social circles she left behind.
Reflects Melbury's view of the marriage as a social restoration for Grace.