The Young Visiters · Chapter
IX: A Proposale explained
Bernard decides to propose to Ethel and takes her on a day trip to Windsor.
What happens
Bernard decides to propose to Ethel and takes her on a day trip to Windsor. After a picnic by the river, he passionately declares his love, and Ethel accepts. They become engaged and plan to marry the following week.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The entire chapter centers on Bernard's proposal to Ethel, highlighting the romantic ideal of marriage as the culmination of passionate love.
Innocence and Naivete
Ethel's fainting from joy and Bernard's melodramatic threats reflect a naive, almost fairy-tale view of love and courtship.
Characters to notice
- Bernard Clark
Bernard resolves to marry Ethel and arranges a romantic day at Windsor to propose. He is ardent and emotional, threatening to throw himself into the river if rejected.
- Ethel Monticue
Ethel accepts Bernard's proposal, faints from joy, and expresses her love for him, calling him a 'Heathen god'.
Key passages
“I love the girl he said to himself and she must be mine but I somehow feel I can not propose in London it would not be seemly in the city of London.”
Bernard decides that proposing in London would be improper, so he plans a countryside outing.
Highlights Bernard's sense of propriety and romanticism.
“Oh Bernard she sighed fervently I certinly love you madly you are to me like a Heathen god she cried looking at his manly form and handsome flashing face I will indeed marry you.”
Ethel passionately declares her love for Bernard and agrees to marry him.
Shows Ethel's intense, almost hyperbolic affection.