Uncle Silas · Chapter
XIV: An Apparition explained
Uncle Silas pressures Maud to consider Dudley's suit, praising his son's qualities and the Ruthyn blood, and secures a fortnight's delay in her decision.
What happens
Uncle Silas pressures Maud to consider Dudley's suit, praising his son's qualities and the Ruthyn blood, and secures a fortnight's delay in her decision. Dudley attempts clumsy courtship with bouquets and a parrot, but Maud rejects his advances. After Maud firmly refuses Dudley, Silas appears devastated, and Dudley departs for Paris. That night, Maud experiences a supernatural terror, but Doctor Jolks dismisses it as hysteria. Milly and Maud later attend to Silas, who suffered a fit after Dudley's departure.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Heredity
Uncle Silas emphasizes the Ruthyn blood and family honor, pressuring Maud to marry Dudley to keep the family intact.
Gender and Power
Maud is pressured by her uncle to accept a suitor she dislikes, reflecting the limited agency of women in matters of marriage and inheritance.
Characters to notice
- Maud Ruthyn
Maud firmly rejects Dudley's suit, experiences supernatural terror, and is diagnosed with hysteria by Doctor Jolks.
- Uncle Silas
Silas pressures Maud to accept Dudley, appears devastated after her refusal, and suffers a fit following Dudley's departure.
- Dudley Ruthyn
Dudley attempts courtship with gifts but is ultimately rejected and departs for Paris.
- Milly Ruthyn
Milly supports Maud, sleeps by her side during the night of terror, and later attends to her father Silas.
- Mary Quince
Mary Quince sits by Maud during the night of supernatural terror.
Key passages
“There are few men in England who could offer you an estate comparable with that you already possess; or, in fact, appreciably increase the splendour of your fortune.”
Few men could match your wealth, so you can marry for love without financial worry.
Uncle Silas argues that Maud's fortune allows her to marry without concern for a suitor's poverty.
“I am old—agitated—on the eve of a decision on which much depends. Pray relieve my suspense. Is my son to leave Bartram today in sorrow, or to remain in joy?”
I am old and anxious; please tell me if my son must leave Bartram in sadness or stay happily.
Silas pressures Maud for an immediate answer about Dudley's departure.
“A wrought two hours in a fit arter Master Dudley went. 'Twill be the death o' him, I'm thinkin', poor old fellah.”
He had a fit for two hours after Master Dudley left; I think it will kill him.
Old Wyat reports that Silas suffered a severe fit after Dudley's departure.