Middlemarch · Chapter
XXXII explained
The chapter focuses on the vulture-like gathering of Peter Featherstone's blood-relations as he lies bedridden.
What happens
The chapter focuses on the vulture-like gathering of Peter Featherstone's blood-relations as he lies bedridden. They jostle for position and speculate about his will, while Mary Garth manages the household. Fred Vincy and his mother remain favored by the old man, causing resentment among the family. Mr. Borthrop Trumbull, the auctioneer, visits and engages in pompous conversation with the relatives.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Dorothea, having just endured the humiliation…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Money and Economic Pressure
The Featherstone relatives' scheming over the will highlights the economic pressures and greed surrounding inheritance.
- Community and Gossip
The family's watchfulness and speculation about Featherstone's intentions reflect the gossipy, communal nature of provincial life.
- Selfishness and Moral Compromise
Each relative acts out of self-interest, compromising honesty and family loyalty in pursuit of the inheritance.
Characters to notice
- Peter Featherstone
Bedridden and irritable, he uses his gold-headed stick to ward off unwanted relatives and insists Fred and Mrs. Vincy stay.
- Mary Garth
As household manager, she carries messages between Featherstone and his family, and consults Mrs. Vincy about hospitality.
- Fred Vincy
Present at Featherstone's bedside, he offers to leave but is told to stay, showing his favored position.
- Mrs. Vincy
Cheerful and liberal, she advises Mary on hospitality and administers cordial to Featherstone.
- Borthrop Trumbull
The auctioneer visits Featherstone, then converses with the relatives in a pompous manner, reading aloud from a book.
- Solomon Featherstone
Peter's brother, who tries to wheedle his way into discussing business and remains downstairs despite being dismissed.
Key passages
“They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk.”
They are highly receptive to any hint or suggestion, just as a cat eagerly laps up milk.
Epigraph from Shakespeare's Tempest, setting the tone for the relatives' greedy anticipation.
“Probabilities are as various as the faces to be seen at will in fretwork or paper-hangings: every form is there, from Jupiter to Judy, if you only look with creative inclination.”
The possible outcomes are as varied as the patterns in wallpaper or woodwork; you can see anything you want if you look imaginatively.
Narrator's reflection on how each relative interprets the likelihood of inheritance according to their own hopes.
“There was a general sense running in the Featherstone blood that everybody must watch everybody else, and that it would be well for everybody else to reflect that the Almighty was watching him.”
The Featherstone family felt that everyone needed to keep an eye on everyone else, and that others should remember God was also watching.
Highlights the mutual suspicion and self-righteousness among the relatives.
