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Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Daniel Deronda, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity and Self-Discovery
Judaism and Zionism
Marriage, Gender, and Control
Familial Duty
Wealth and Social Class
Summary
Analysis
Gwendolen spends her time abroad gambling, enjoying the thrill of chance and feeling detached from moral concerns. However, when she loses heavily, she is forced to return home, bringing back a necklace that someone else redeemed from the pawnshop. Meanwhile, Grandcourt takes his time following her, often stopping to meet friends and acquaintances, deciding to pursue her in earnest. His attraction to Gwendolen is more about control than passion, and he finds her initial rejection intriguing rather than discouraging.
Gwendolen’s gambling is more than a reckless pursuit of wealth—it is an escape from responsibility. She thrives on the unpredictability of chance, believing she can manipulate fate the same way she manipulates social situations. The thrill of winning allows her to ignore moral concerns, but losing forces her back to reality. The necklace, redeemed by someone else, becomes a symbol of her dependence on others despite her belief in self-sufficiency.
Themes
At Diplow, curiosity about Gwendolen’s whereabouts spreads. Lady Flora Hollis, an acquaintance of Grandcourt’s, makes social rounds to gather information and learns that Gwendolen has gone to Leubronn with the von Langens. When she mentions this at dinner, Grandcourt, though outwardly indifferent, takes note. Soon after, he instructs Lush to break up their gathering, as he plans to leave for Leubronn under the guise of a yachting trip.
At Diplow, the social network remains active, ensuring that no one can disappear without others taking notice. Lady Flora’s inquiries show how Gwendolen’s actions, even from afar, are subjects of speculation. Grandcourt’s indifference is a performance; he absorbs information without reacting, always maintaining the illusion that events unfold according to his will.
Themes
Upon arrival at Leubronn, Grandcourt finds his uncle, Sir Hugo Mallinger, and his cousin Daniel Deronda. Sir Hugo, who resents Grandcourt for being the presumptive heir to his estates, nonetheless seeks to maintain good relations, hoping to negotiate a financial deal over Diplow. Grandcourt, aware of this, enjoys the thought of having power over his uncle’s wishes.
Grandcourt’s arrival at Leubronn is not only about Gwendolen; it is also about control within his own family. Sir Hugo tolerates him, but only because of the financial implications of their relationship. Grandcourt enjoys knowing that his uncle is forced into civility, just as he enjoys pursuing Gwendolen now that she has no easy way to escape him.
Themes
During a conversation, Sir Hugo brings up a striking young woman he saw gambling at Leubronn: Gwendolen Harleth. Grandcourt feigns indifference but is clearly interested. Lush reveals that Grandcourt had nearly proposed to Gwendolen before she abruptly left, and now he is here to find her. Sir Hugo jokes that Daniel should pursue her instead, but Daniel, put off by Gwendolen’s reckless gambling, firmly states that he has no interest in her. However, internally, he is curious about what happened to her after their brief encounter.
Sir Hugo’s offhand remark about Gwendolen’s gambling draws Grandcourt’s interest, though he hides it. Lush’s confirmation that Grandcourt nearly proposed before Gwendolen fled shows that Grandcourt has already decided she will be his. Sir Hugo’s joke about Daniel pursuing her instead serves as a contrast—Grandcourt sees Gwendolen as something to possess, while Daniel sees her as a morally complex human being who interests him, despite her failures.
Themes
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