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Chapter 11
Themes
and Colors
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
Mr. Gibson and Clare’s relationship continues to progress. While some on the outside might consider the relationship dull, Gibson and Clare are both happy with it. Clare begins preparations for the marriage. Gibson is intent on having Cynthia come from her school in France, but Clare doesn’t want her to come and says she doesn’t want to interrupt Cynthia’s studies. Clare also goes about settling debts at the school she operates in Ashcombe. Meanwhile, Gibson knows he must prepare the house so that it will be suitable for when Clare moves in. He isn’t sure exactly what to do, though, so he goes to ask the Browning sisters, Miss Browning and Miss Phoebe, for help.
The allusion to Clare’s debts in Ashcombe further underlines the financial precarity in which Clare—and, presumably, Cynthia—lived before Clare’s marriage to Gibson. That further shows the complex inner workings of the socioeconomic climate in the Hollingford community, as Cynthia and Clare seem to occupy a similar socioeconomic status as the Gibson family, but they also seem to have been subject to a level of financial instability that Molly and Mr. Gibson have not experienced.
Active
Themes
Mr. Gibson goes to see Miss Browning and Miss Phoebe. Before he can ask for their help in preparing his house for Clare, he must first tell them of his engagement, a matter he finds slightly embarrassing. He tells the whole story, beginning with Mr. Coxe’s feelings for Molly and ending with his engagement to Clare. He then asks if Molly might be able to stay with Miss Browning and Miss Phoebe until the wedding. The sisters are happy to host Molly, and Gibson then asks them if they might help him get the house together. He says he’s not sure exactly what to do, but new paint will have to be applied, and new furniture bought. The sisters agree to that too. Miss Browning is especially excited to oversee the renovations, while Miss Phoebe is mostly looking forward to Molly’s visit.
Active
Themes
Literary Devices
