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Chapter 40
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Wives and Daughters, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Friendship
Class, Status, and Romance
Independence, Opportunities, and Gender
Challenges, Growth, and Community
Gossip and Rumors
Summary
Analysis
Clare returns to Hollingford from London and gushes about her trip. She says that Mr. Kirkpatrick, Lady Cumnor, and Lady Harriet were all thrilled to see her. She also says that the Kirkpatrick family adores Cynthia, and she’s not sure when Cynthia will return home. Molly asks if Cynthia has received any news from Roger while she’s been away, and Clare says that Roger wrote, saying that he had another touch of fever but has since recovered. Molly is distraught and can’t bear to think of Roger ill. She prays that he returns home safely. She then thinks about what she would do if she found out that Cynthia doesn’t love him as she should.
When Clare returns from London, she says that everyone was thrilled to see her, though it’s unclear whether that is actually true or whether Clare is manipulating her story to suit the version of events she wants people to believe. Molly’s distress upon hearing that Roger has been ill, and her thoughts about what to do if Cynthia doesn’t love him enough, further point to the frustrated nature of Molly’s romantic feelings for Roger while also showing that Molly remains selfless despite those personal difficulties.
Themes
Literary Devices
Cynthia eventually returns home from London. She seems as charming as ever, but Molly senses that Cynthia is withholding something from her—not just her emotions, but some factual piece of information. One day after Cynthia returns, Mr. Gibson runs upstairs, beaming, to where the girls are sitting. He unfolds a pamphlet at Cynthia’s feet, and then he goes back downstairs. Cynthia glances at the pamphlet before putting it away. Molly asks what it is, and Cynthia says it’s about the annual meeting of the Geographical Society, during which Lord Hollingford sang Roger’s praises.
Molly continues to sense that there is some important piece of information that she doesn’t know about Cynthia’s life that is impacting Cynthia’s behavior. Cynthia’s reaction to the pamphlet that details Roger’s accomplishments again points to Cynthia’s indifference toward Roger.
Themes
Molly can’t understand why Cynthia isn’t more excited and proud of Roger. She asks Cynthia about it, and Cynthia says she’s made it clear that she doesn’t want to talk about her relationship with Roger. Molly says she doesn’t understand Cynthia. With tears in her eyes, Cynthia says she hopes Molly never does. She says she’s gotten herself into a difficult situation. She embraces Molly and seems to be about to divulge a secret when Clare comes into the room, bringing the conversation to an abrupt stop.
The novel again points to something that happened in Cynthia’s past that she has been keeping a secret. Keeping that secret also seems to be causing Cynthia significant distress. Notably, at one point in this passage, it seems that Cynthia and Molly might argue, but Cynthia breaks down in Molly’s arms instead of arguing with her, again illustrating the mutual care and concern that animates Molly and Cynthia’s friendship.
Themes
One day, Miss Browning comes to have tea with Clare and Molly. The three talk about Cynthia’s visit to London and her continued correspondence with her cousin Helen. Miss Browning then says that she hopes that Molly, who doesn’t have a mother to look after her, won’t throw her life away for someone whose life isn’t “above board.” Miss Browning means it as a warning to Molly about Preston, but because Molly has nothing to do with Preston, she’s shocked by the speech. Clare is also offended that Miss Browning has implied that Clare doesn’t look after Molly.
This passage underlines the role that gossip and rumors play in the novel, as well as the conflicts that result when people rely on rumors and forgo honest, direct communication. In this case, Miss Browning has arrived at erroneous conclusions based on crumbs of information and her own baseless interpretations of that limited information. As a result, she makes comments that visibly upset both Clare and Molly.
Themes
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Molly and Clare ask Miss Browning what she’s talking about, and Miss Browning eventually backs down and says perhaps she was mistaken. After Miss Browning leaves, Clare and Molly talk to Cynthia about what Miss Browning said. Molly says that perhaps Miss Browning was commenting on her (Molly) and Preston, but she’s only guessing. That would be strange, though, Molly says, because she thought Miss Browning had previously said something about Cynthia and Preston. Cynthia shoots Molly a sharp look and then quickly changes the subject. Once Clare is gone, Cynthia says that she never wants to hear Molly mention her (Cynthia’s) name and Preston’s name together ever again.
This passage again points to the destructive impact of rumors and gossip, as Miss Browning’s comments that have no basis in truth lead to a conflict between Molly and Clare on the one hand and Miss Browning on the other. Cynthia’s quick glance toward Molly when Molly mentions Cynthia and Preston’s names together suggests that perhaps the secret Cynthia has been keeping is related to Preston. Cynthia’s insistence that Molly never mention Cynthia and Preston’s names together reinforces this theory.
Themes
