The Last Chronicle of Barset
Chapters 64 to 66

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[61-63]   [67-69]

Chapter 64
The Tragedy in Hook Court

The three Graces
The narrator states that Dalrymple thought of the picture of the three Graces before he reveals to Mrs. Broughton the news of her husband's suicide. Trollope perhaps uses this image of the Graces at this point in the plot to contrast Mrs. Boughton's current dramatic behavior with the ideal of the Graces she which she modeled and perhaps saw herself as embodying.  See commentary for Chapter 38.  [AM]

 

Chapter 65
Miss Van Siever Makes her Choice

By Jove
A common Victorian expression of surprise, realization, or frustration. Jove refers to Jupiter, the Roman god who was head of the Roman pantheon.  Mr. Mussleboro says this to himself after Clara Van Siever turns down his marriage proposal and asks him not to try to persuade her.  Through saying this, he is expressing his frustration at not being able to persuade Clara into marrying him.  This phrase is also emphasizing Mr. Mussleboro's realization that in his view both Clara and her mother are "Tartars" or shrews.  [AM]

Fortune
Fortune was the Roman goddess of chance or luck. Trollope uses this allusion to Fortune in order to show that Mr. Musselboro now understands that--luckily--he does not need to marry Clara in order to have access to Mrs. Van Siever's money.  [AM & RR]

 

Chapter 66
Requiescat in Pace

Requiescat in Pace
A Latin phrase meaning, "May he/she/it rest in peace."  This was a phrase that was commonly engraved on tombstones.  This Latin phrase and title of the chapter is a foreshadowing of what is to come.  This phrase, on the surface, refers to the death of Mrs. Proudie. However, this phrase is perhaps appropriate for Bishop Proudie. Through Mrs. Proudie's death, it is the living Bishop Proudie who will be at peace.  [AM]

 

[61-63]   [67-69]

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