Love vs. Duty

Where it surfaces

• A Damsel in Distress

  Maud's romantic desires clash with her duty to her family and social class, driving the central conflict.

• I

  Maud's love for Geoffrey Raymond conflicts with her family's expectation that she marry Reggie Byng.

• V

  George's sudden, intense love for Maud contrasts with the practical obstacles of not knowing her name or address, highlighting the tension between romantic impulse and social reality.

• Chapter X

  Reggie Byng is torn between his mother's wish for him to marry Maud and his own love for Alice Faraday, while Maud's love for George defies her family's expectations.

• XVI

  George's unwavering love for Maud clashes with Lord Marshmoreton's sense of duty to protect his family's social standing.

• XIX

  Maud is torn between her love for Geoffrey and her family's expectations, while George must set aside his own feelings to help her.

• Reggie's Wedding Morning

  Reggie's secret marriage to Alice Faraday defies his mother's expectations and societal duty, prioritizing personal love over family obligation.

• XXI

  Reggie and Alice's marriage represents a triumph of personal love over familial duty, as they plan to reveal their union to Lady Caroline Byng.

• Chapter XXIII

  Maud is torn between her love for the man from Wales and her family's expectations for a suitable match.

• XXIV

  Maud struggles between her love for Geoffrey and her sense of duty and gratitude toward George, who has been her loyal friend.

• Chapter XXVI

  Maud grapples with her past love for Geoffrey and her newfound love for George Bevan, ultimately choosing her true feelings.

• XXVII

  Maud chooses love for George over her duty to family expectations and her previous attachment to Geoffrey Raymond.