# Social Ambition and Control in Miss Marjoribanks

> Theme guide for Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant.

Lucilla Marjoribanks systematically plans and executes the reorganization of Carlingford society, treating social gatherings as strategic operations to establish her influence and power.

## Where it surfaces

- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/ii): Lucilla's plan to revolutionize Carlingford society through strategic dinner parties and her desire to be a leader.
- [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/iv): Lucilla's strategic survey of Carlingford and her bold recruitment of Rose Lake demonstrate her calculated ambition to become a social leader.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/v): Lucilla strategically snubs Mrs. Woodburn to elevate her own prestige and begins recruiting allies for her social campaign.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/vii): Lucilla meticulously plans her father's dinner party and manages Tom, demonstrating her strategic social maneuvering.
- [The First Thursday Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/x): Lucilla orchestrates the evening with calculated precision, managing guests and positioning herself as a central figure in Carlingford society.
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xi): Lucilla considers marriage to Mr. Cavendish as a means to achieve her mission of reorganizing Carlingford society.
- [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xii): Lucilla's strategic management of her Thursday evenings demonstrates her ambition to rule Carlingford society.
- [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xiii): Lucilla's calculated magnanimity and her establishment of a social reign demonstrate her ambition and control over Carlingford society.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xiv): Lucilla's masterly handling of the situation reinforces her control over Carlingford society, turning a crisis into a demonstration of her social dominance.
- [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xv): Lucilla's strategic planning for her evening gathering and her interest in the Archdeacon as a useful auxiliary reflect her social ambition and desire for control.
- [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xvi): Lucilla's strategic management of the dinner party and her guests demonstrates her ambition to dominate Carlingford society.
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxv): Lucilla orchestrates multiple intrigues to manage the Archdeacon, Mrs. Mortimer, and Mr. Cavendish, demonstrating her ambition to control Carlingford's social dynamics.
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxvi): Lucilla deliberately snubs General Travers to maintain her social authority and protect her carefully constructed society.
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxviii): Lucilla orchestrates her visit to the Lakes and her walk with Mr. Cavendish to manage social outcomes.
- [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxii): Lucilla's manipulation of the dinner party to confront the Archdeacon and secure her social position exemplifies her ambition and need for control.
- [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxvii): Lucilla's orchestration of Mr. Ashburton's candidacy demonstrates her continued drive to shape Carlingford society and her own position within it.
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxviii): Lucilla's electioneering and her desire to manage both the political outcome and her personal relationships reflect her ambition to control her social sphere.
- [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxix): Lucilla strategically advocates for Mr. Ashburton, using her social influence to sway opinion in Grange Lane, demonstrating her ambition to control the election outcome.
- [Chapter the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/chapter-the-last): Lucilla's vision of reorganizing the county and her satisfaction with her 'larger sphere' demonstrate her ambition to control and improve society.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/themes/social_ambition_and_control
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/themes