Where Angels Fear to Tread · Chapter
Chapter I explained
The Herriton family receives news that Lilia is engaged to an Italian man, causing outrage and a plan to send Philip to Italy to intervene.
What happens
The Herriton family receives news that Lilia is engaged to an Italian man, causing outrage and a plan to send Philip to Italy to intervene. The chapter opens with the family seeing Lilia off at Charing Cross, where Philip advises her to explore Italy authentically. Later, a telegram and letter reveal Lilia's engagement, prompting Mrs. Herriton to take decisive action, including sending a telegram to Miss Abbott and preparing Philip for travel.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Propriety
Mrs. Herriton's outrage at Lilia's engagement stems from concerns about social standing and the insult to the family's reputation.
Cultural Clash
Philip's romanticized view of Italy contrasts with his family's disdain for Lilia marrying an Italian, highlighting cultural tensions.
Hypocrisy and Moral Self-Deception
Mrs. Herriton's concern for propriety masks her controlling nature, while Philip's praise of Italy does not extend to accepting an Italian relative.
Characters to notice
- Philip Herriton
Philip is reluctantly sent to Italy to stop Lilia's engagement, despite his previous enthusiasm for Italian culture.
- Caroline Abbott
Miss Abbott accompanies Lilia to Italy and is the recipient of Mrs. Herriton's telegram demanding an explanation.
- Lilia Theobald
Lilia is the widow who embarks on a trip to Italy and becomes engaged to an Italian man, causing family conflict.
- Harriet Herriton
Harriet is distressed by the news and helps her mother in the garden while expressing helplessness.
- Mrs. Herriton
Mrs. Herriton is the matriarch who forbids Lilia's marriage and orchestrates Philip's mission to Italy.
- Irma
Irma is Lilia's young daughter, who bids her mother goodbye and is left in Mrs. Herriton's care.
Key passages
“If Lilia marries him she insults the memory of Charles, she insults Irma, she insults us. Therefore I forbid her, and if she disobeys we have done with her forever.”
Mrs. Herriton declares that Lilia's marriage would dishonor her late husband, her daughter, and the family, and she threatens to cut ties if Lilia disobeys.
This shows Mrs. Herriton's rigid sense of family honor and control.
“Let Philip say what he likes, and he will let us do what we like.”
Mrs. Herriton advises that allowing Philip to express his opinions freely will make him more compliant with the family's wishes.
This reveals Mrs. Herriton's manipulative strategy for managing Philip's independence.
“Love and understand the Italians, for the people are more marvellous than the land.”
Philip urges Lilia to appreciate the Italian people themselves, not just the art and scenery.
Philip's advice reflects his idealistic view of Italy, which later clashes with reality.