The Woodlanders · Chapter
XXXVII explained
Grace's health deteriorates due to fear of Fitzpiers's return, exacerbated by the discovery of his hat.
What happens
Grace's health deteriorates due to fear of Fitzpiers's return, exacerbated by the discovery of his hat. Dr. Jones advises Melbury to assure Grace that her marriage will be dissolved. Melbury, influenced by Fred Beaucock, writes to Grace claiming she will soon be free and encourages her to rekindle her relationship with Giles Winterborne.
Themes in this chapter
Sacrifice and Duty
Melbury's paternal duty drives him to pursue a divorce for Grace, even stretching the truth to secure her happiness.
Isolation and Community
Grace's terror isolates her within her own home, while the community's gossip and legal advice from Beaucock shape the family's decisions.
Fate and Irony
The discovery of Fitzpiers's hat ironically worsens Grace's condition, and Melbury's well-intentioned deception sets the stage for future complications.
Characters to notice
- Grace Melbury
Suffers from feverish nervous attacks and terror of Fitzpiers's return; receives a letter from her father falsely assuring her of impending freedom.
- George Melbury
Travels to London on legal business; writes to Grace exaggerating the progress of divorce proceedings and urging her to encourage Winterborne.
- Giles Winterborne
Visits Melbury's house but is unable to see Grace due to her illness; receives a letter from Melbury hinting at a future union.
- Edgar Fitzpiers
His hat is found in the wood, causing Grace further distress; he secretly leaves Hintock with Mrs. Charmond's help and is later seen with her in Baden.
- Felice Charmond
Assists Fitzpiers in his escape by disguising him; leaves Hintock for a continental tour, and is rumored to be with Fitzpiers in Baden.
- Fred Beaucock
A disgraced lawyer's clerk who informs Melbury about the new divorce law and influences him to write optimistic letters to Grace and Giles.
Key passages
“He felt shy of entering Grace’s presence as her reconstituted lover—which was how her father’s manner would be sure to present him—before definite information as to her future state was forthcoming; it seemed too nearly like the act of those who rush in where angels fear to tread.”
Giles hesitated to see Grace as her father's renewed suitor without knowing her true condition, feeling it would be presumptuous.
Giles's reluctance reflects his sensitivity to Grace's fragile state and the awkwardness of his position.
“The bird’s note, so familiar to her ears from infancy, was now absolute torture to the poor girl.”
The cuckoo's call, once comforting, now tormented Grace due to her heightened anxiety.
The natural world becomes a source of distress for Grace, mirroring her inner turmoil.
“An idea implanted early in life is difficult to uproot, and many elderly tradespeople still clung to the notion that Fred Beaucock knew a great deal of law.”
Despite his decline, older townspeople still believed Fred Beaucock was a legal expert because of his past reputation.
This observation highlights the persistence of reputation and the community's reliance on flawed authority.