The Last Chronicle of Barset
Chapters 58 to 60

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[55-57]   [61-63]

Chapter 58
The Cross-grainedness of Men

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Chapter 59
A Lady Presents her Compliments to Miss L.D.

The divinity of the imaginary Apollo had been dashed to the ground
Lily is described as losing her view of Crosbie as an "Apollo" after seeing him in Rotten Row. This continues the parallel that had been drawn in The Small House at Allington between Crosbie and this young, beautiful god of classical myth.  [EB]

The lover who had never been a god
Continuing the previous reference, this phrase describes how the loss of Crosbie as "Apollo" seems to elevate John Eames in Lily's mind.  Crosbie had previously overshadowed Eames, who was not compared to a god such as Apollo.  [EB]

Having something godlike in his favour
This continues the previous discussion of Crosbie and Eames' relative merits as suitors.  Lily had previously chosen Crosbie for his "godlike" qualities, but now Eames and Crosbie seem more evenly matched since Crosbie's physical appearance no longer seems like that of an "Apollo."  [EB]

Something of that Phoebus divinity
Phoebus is another name for the god Apollo.  This phrase continues the description of how Lily thinks that John Eames lacks the characteristics of "divinity."  [EB]

If not into divinity, at least into manliness
Continuing the prior references, this phrase describes how Lily appreciates John's recently developed maturity, even if she does not recognize him as an "Apollo." [EB]

Her forgiveness had been asked, not by a god
Lily continues to reduce Crosbie from his previous status as an "Apollo" here.  She realizes that when Crosbie asked her forgiveness, she was being asked by "an ordinary human being" rather than "a god" such as Apollo.  [EB]

 

Chapter 60
The End of Jael and Sisera

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[55-57]   [61-63]

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