Megga Nurma W’s Reviews > The Woodlanders > Status Update

people become fascinated by what comes “from outside”.
Education, urban sophistication, social prestige, and fail to recognize the value of the ordinary goodness already beside them.
Melbury is not entirely foolish, he just flawed. Victorian society itself encouraged this way of thinking. Education and class advancement were seen as signs of progress. So he believes he is acting wisely and lovingly as a father.

Mr. Melbury genuinely loves Grace, but his ambition creates tragedy. He spends a great deal of money sending her to boarding school so she can become a refined, educated lady, socially above the woodland people of Little Hintock. Because of that sacrifice, he begins to feel that marrying Giles Winterborne would “waste” Grace’s education and social advancement.