The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Our threads are starting to wrap themselves up.

Lady Carbury has written a novel, and once again she is angling for critical support from the newspaper editors. What did you think of their responses? Trollope's criticism of this aspect of society appears apt even today, where authors/publishers need to vie for support and attention to get their books published or sold.

Hetta meets with Mrs Hurtle, and forgives her lover.

Mrs Hurtle muses She and this young Englishman were not fit to be mated. He was to her thinking a tame, sleek household animal, whereas she knew herself to be wild,-fitter for the woods than for polished cities. It had been one of the faults of her life that she had allowed herself to be bound by tenderness of feeling to this soft over-civilized man. The result had been disastrous, as might have been expected. Soft, over civilized man is a very apt description!

What did you think of Roger's actions in this affair?

We have the Crumb engagement being settled, and then Georgiana's surprise marriage. What do you think of these arrangements, and will either couple be able to make a happy union?

Finally, Felix slinks back to the Beargarden, which is about to fold. What did you think of the lot of them, and what is Trollope trying to say about the society and lives of these aristocratic young men?

Please share your thoughts on our penultimate section.

‘Oh, Amos Cottle, for a moment think
What meagre profits spread from pen and ink.’

From Lord Byron, English Bards and Scotch Reviewers, 401-2. Cottle was a very minor poet. Died in 1800.

I'm not sure if Ruby will be "happy," per se. She'll be safe and comfortable, but will probably be forever exasperated with her husband. For some women, that perpetual exasperation becomes a kind of love, so maybe that will happen for her.

Marie will probably like America. Her social status will matter less there, and she is smart enough to get by.

Georgiana will probably be happier with her curate than with her family, but I wonder if he will regret the marriage.

It's good for Felix to see that no one at the club really likes him.

I think that Mrs. Hurtle is one of the strongest characters in the book now. I can't see her fitting into that class-ridden hypocritical society Trollope depicts in this novel.

Lady Carbury is desperate for funds but finding someone to flog a terrible novel is harder than reviewing a lame article.

Rosemarie wrote: "I can't see her fitting into that class-ridden hypocritical society Trollope depicts in this novel..."

After reading many Trollope novels in this group, I find that this one is by far his work that is most critical of the "class-ridden hypocritical society." In the other novels, lords and high class individuals are satirized but often with kid gloves and are often sympathized with. In this novel, the lordly crew such as Felix, the Longstaffe and others, such as everybody at the Beargarden, are pretty much portrayed as complete wastes of God's efforts. Even the not-so-complete wastes, say Paul, Lord Nidderdale and Roger, are portrayed with major deficiencies. Paul, who I empathize with, did cheat in his heart on Hetta and then chastised Hetta for treating HIM unfairly when he should have been groveling to her. It says something about his views that Trollope treats the Jew and the American as the two most fair people in this novel.

‘In life I’ve rung all changes .through,
Run every pleasure down, ‘
Midst each excess of folly too,
And lived with half the town.’

Seems to be from a drinking song called, appropriately, The Toper’s Apology.

‘And he’s five years younger than she! And he’s got nothing but his curacy! And he’s a celibate! I heard the bishop laughing at him because he called himself a celibate.’’

Some Anglo-Catholic priests imitated Roman Catholics in believing they should’ve marry. Batherbolt clearly overcame his scruples rather quickly.

Let us hope that Georgiana has learned some generosity and philanthropy as she takes on the role of a curate's wife!

I think that as long as Batherbolt doesn't act like a complete jerk and the living can continue to be counted on, Georgiana will be fine. She knew what she was getting into and at her age is beyond being picky. She mainly didn't want to spend the rest of her life living with her parents. No one pushed her into this and her expectations for the marriage are probably realistic.

Brian, yes, these seem to be the biggest wastrels about whom I have read in Trollope's books! It has been sort of fun to see how ridiculous they are. And I also didnt think much of Paul's accusations. Although I generally liked him, he had no business accusing Hetta of being unfair to him.

Yeah, I do like Paul, but he does have his wastrel moments.

Not to be crass, but Georgiana will have a younger and thinner bed mate which could give her some consolation for the money differential. The curate may possibly be of more help with any kids - and she has no step-kids. Of course, it appears she still has to break the curate in but, hopefully, that will be fun.

He's not a wastrel; he's Paulyamorous!

I also couldn't help thinking Georgiana probably found her ultimate choice more attractive (a younger man! oh my!), however kind and financially secure a person Mr Breghert may have been.

Georgiana’s elopement with the curate seemed to come out of nowhere. Trollope quickly trying to tie up all loose ends. Curious she was still talking about marriage with Brehgert to her mother while she’s out walking with the curate. Was she trying to make up her mind about what to do? Hopefully she will find some happiness, but I have my doubts as she is leaving behind any hope of the society life she treasures.

Hetta was looking for anyway to forgive Paul. Luckily for her Mrs. Hurtle has decided that Hetta and Paul should marry, despite both her continuing love for him and any urge for revenge. Which she certainly would be entitled to. So she doesn’t share the full truth of Paul’s mistreatment and disrespect of her with Hetta. My opinion of Paul hasn’t changed. He’s lucky Hetta is willing to take him back and that Roger will reconcile for Hetta’s sake and secure their future.

Ruby’s opinion of John did change while they are at Lowestoft. She does respect him and kisses him. She decides she will be a dutiful wife. So hopefully they will find happiness in their marriage.

The future seems to be bringing changes to Felix and his cronies. With the dissolution of the Beargarden being symbolic. It certainly is a cautionary tale of living beyond one’s inherited means. Hopefully Felix will never find his way back to England.

TROLLOPE'S DARK VISION: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE WAY WE LIVE NOW
https://groups.io/g/TrollopeAndHisCon...
For anyone who might be interested, this article discusses how women are kept “in line” and subordinate to men in the novel. The author notes that this theme of violence towards women is rarely explored. Ranging from the rampant physical abuse which so many of the female characters suffer to the cultural indoctrination women are subject to. Women are not intellectually nor morally inferior. And there are examples, Mrs. Hurtle and Marie, of women who are not willing to suffer this abuse or subordination any longer. Although standing up for oneself may bring about further negative results. Trollope has brought the unspoken private behavior of men towards women out in the open for his readers to acknowledge as being present in their society.

I would love to read this but it seems to require a site login...

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/462629/pdf

I think this link will get you to the article.

Linda, thank you!

Thank you Linda for the article, it is really very interesting, it shed a new light on some episodes.