Miss Marjoribanks · Chapter
XXXVIII explained
Aunt Jemima arrives in Grange Lane, and Lucilla navigates her aunt's delicate health and pointed remarks about her unmarried state and suitability as a wife.
What happens
Aunt Jemima arrives in Grange Lane, and Lucilla navigates her aunt's delicate health and pointed remarks about her unmarried state and suitability as a wife. Meanwhile, Lucilla is deeply engaged in electioneering for a new member to replace old Mr. Chiltern, and is torn between her public commitment to Mr. Ashburton and her private feelings about the returning Mr. Cavendish.
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 Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Mrs. Woodburn,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Social Ambition and Control
Lucilla's electioneering and her desire to manage both the political outcome and her personal relationships reflect her ambition to control her social sphere.
- Marriage as a Social Institution
Aunt Jemima's comments about Lucilla not being suited to be a poor man's wife highlight marriage as a practical, economic arrangement rather than a romantic one.
- Self-Perception and Ego
Lucilla's wounded pride at being deemed unsuitable for a poor man's wife, and her internal conflict between public loyalty and private feeling, reveal her strong sense of self.
Characters to notice
- Lucilla Marjoribanks
Busy electioneering and managing Aunt Jemima's visit; conflicted about Mr. Cavendish's return while committed to Mr. Ashburton.
- Aunt Jemima
Recently arrived widow, mother of Tom, delicate health, critical of Lucilla's unmarried state and suitability as a poor man's wife.
- Dr. Marjoribanks
Lucilla's father, robust and unsympathetic to Mrs. John's complaints; his political sympathies align with Mr. Cavendish.
- Tom Marjoribanks
Aunt Jemima's son, in India; his mother suspects he was once fond of Lucilla.
- Mr. Cavendish
Returning to Carlingford, his political address aligns with Dr. Marjoribanks's sentiments; Lucilla is conflicted about his reappearance.
- Mr. Ashburton
The predestined member for Carlingford according to Lucilla; she has pledged herself to his cause.
Key passages
“I don't mean to be any man's wife just now... I am too busy electioneering; we are going to have a new member in dear old Mr. Chiltern's place.”
Lucilla deflects Aunt Jemima's marriage talk by declaring she is too occupied with the upcoming election to replace Mr. Chiltern.
Lucilla uses politics to avoid personal discussion and assert her independence.
“Life with most people is little more than a succession of high and low tides... Miss Marjoribanks had been subject to the eaux mortes for a long time: but now the spring-tides had rushed back.”
The narrator compares life to tidal cycles, noting that after a long period of stagnation, Lucilla's life is now full of activity and excitement.
Metaphor for the return of social and emotional energy in Lucilla's world.
