# How does Aurora Floyd develop the theme of Love vs. Duty?

> Aurora Floyd by M. E. Braddon

## Answer

Aurora Floyd by M. E. Braddon develops Love vs. Duty across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Characters struggle between romantic love and societal or familial duty, exemplified by Talbot Bulstrode's conflict between his pride and his passion for Aurora, and John Mellish's unconditional devotion.

Talbot struggles between his attraction to Aurora and his rational ideal of a dutiful, gentle wife like Lucy.

Talbot struggles between his passion for Aurora and his sense of duty and suspicion.

Talbot Bulstrode grapples with his love for Aurora and the duty he feels toward Lucy Floyd, whose secret affection for him is revealed. He also prays earnestly in church, fearing his happiness may be too great.

## Evidence

- [iv-after-the-ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/iv-after-the-ball.md): Talbot struggles between his attraction to Aurora and his rational ideal of a dutiful, gentle wife like Lucy.
- [vi-rejected-and-accepted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/vi-rejected-and-accepted.md): Talbot struggles between his passion for Aurora and his sense of duty and suspicion.
- [viii-poor-john-mellish-comes-back-again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/viii-poor-john-mellish-comes-back-again.md): Talbot Bulstrode grapples with his love for Aurora and the duty he feels toward Lucy Floyd, whose secret affection for him is revealed. He also prays earnestly in church, fearing his happiness may be too great.
- [ix-how-talbot-bulstrode-spent-his-christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/ix-how-talbot-bulstrode-spent-his-christmas.md): Talbot's sense of honour and duty compels him to break off the engagement despite his deep love for Aurora.
- [x-fighting-the-battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/x-fighting-the-battle.md): Aurora and Talbot are separated by duty and pride, while John Mellish's love is tempered by his duty to respect Aurora's feelings.
- [xi-at-the-ch-teau-d-arques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xi-at-the-ch-teau-d-arques.md): Aurora struggles between her lingering feelings for Talbot and her sense of duty to her father and to John Mellish, who has been so devoted.
- [xiii-the-spring-meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xiii-the-spring-meeting.md): Aurora's love for John Mellish contrasts with her past attachment to Talbot Bulstrode, highlighting the tension between romantic love and marital duty.
- [xiv-love-took-up-the-glass-of-time-and-turned-it-in-his-glowing-hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xiv-love-took-up-the-glass-of-time-and-turned-it-in-his-glowing-hands.md): Talbot struggles between his lingering love for Aurora and his duty to move on, ultimately choosing a practical marriage with Lucy.

## Links

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