Middlemarch: Book 3, Chapter 32 Summary & Analysis

All of Featherstone’s relations are hoping to receive something in his will, even the poor ones to whom he never showed any generosity in his life. As Featherstone lies on his deathbed, countless relatives arrive at his house. He won’t see any of them, so Mary carries their messages to him. Some of the guests, such as Featherstone’s brother Jonah, simply refuse to leave the house. A great many of them are now crowded in the kitchen, which distresses Mary. The relatives eventually confront Featherstone, who is enraged by their presence. He declares: “I’ve made my will, I tell you, I’ve made my will.”

Mr. Trumbull, the Middlemarch auctioneer, has a meeting with Featherstone, and as he is waiting to go up to Featherstone’s room the crowd of relatives asks for an update on Featherstone’s current state of mind. Trumbull gives an evasive answer, but subtly implies that Featherstone’s land may not be inherited by anyone in the family at all. In reality Trumbull  doesn’t know anything about Featherstone’s will. He discusses Mary’s books with her, claiming to be “a great bookman myself.” The relatives mutter about Mary, supposing that Featherstone will have certainly left her something in the will.