Reading the Chunksters discussion

Chapter 25: In Grosvenor Square

Poor Marie tries desperately to contrive a love story with Felix And perhaps is not sophisticated enough to realize what she is missing. Felix, meanwhile, finds any part of trying to form a relationship with Marie to be incredibly tiresome. I wonder why Trollope painted these two as destined for failure from the very beginning rather than opt to give the reader some notion that they might work - it is very strange and a bit like watching a train wreck about to happen!

Meanwhile how do you think Georgiana is faring at the Melmottes? It seems the enterprise has harmed her more than it has helped her!

Chapters 26-27: The Mrs. Hurtle Saga!

So far we have learned little about Paul Montague and these chapters did not really portray him in a favorable light. We learn that he previously promised to marry the widow Mrs. Hurtle and that he then changed plans based on unsubstantiated rumors about her past. She tries to be open and honest with him and travels all the way from the US to meet him in London and he is afraid initially to confess that he is interested in Henrietta instead of her at this point. When she pries the truth out of him and learns that there is no relationship between Paul and Henrietta and that they have not communicated on this topic, she pursues him
in earnest and it seems that he is going along with it for the time being!

Yeah! my library copy finally came in! I am looking forward to reading the weekly discussions as I go, and hope I can catch up. :-)

Yay great news Penney!! I will look for your posts on the earlier sections when you get to them- welcome!

Dianne wrote: "Chapters 26-27: The Mrs. Hurtle Saga!

So far we have learned little about Paul Montague and these chapters did not really portray him in a favorable light. We learn that he previously promised to..."

Mrs. Hurtle. BTW, I am far ahead of schedule, but won't post any spoilers. I do find some word play going on with some names, and some of it, I think, is less obvious to us in the present day. Is this woman Mrs. Hurt-le, Mrs. Hurdle, or, as I read it, Mrs. Hustler?

As I read more and more, I find the satire more obvious, and more funny. Poor Paul does seem quite fond of this mysterious woman, doesn't he? Of all people, these two seem genuinely smitten.

Felix is...confusing. Perhaps he is the one who shows us how the men in this society really feel about marriage. Of course, none of them would say it, but they seem to be as concerned with appearances in marriage as the women are. And I suppose Felix thought it would be easy to pin himself to Marie, as he has determined to marry someone wealthy. Though effort is not at all Felix's strong suit. He doesn't seem to be able to persist.

Wow. I feel a lot has happened with new characters introduced. Ladies are getting proposals, but will not agree except for Marie and she has started to manipulate things to flow her way. She is starting to show some spirit. I wonder if Felix is now starting to have similar feelings toward Marie when she suggests hoodwinking her father. Marie is not the passive, boring person he first thought. Felix now thinks it is now okay to swindle people at cards like his fiance wants to do to Melmotte.

I still think Trollope is sporting fun at the way the elite act. For example, Dolly's sister only wanted to be in town to find a husband, but has been spurned by so called friends. Why is she spurned? Because she lives with Melottes who are not par standard with society. If you don't have old money, you are not worth our time.

The night at the theatre is over - I find Mrs Hurtle very interesting and hope she stays around.

Hummingbirder wrote: "Dianne wrote: "Chapters 26-27: The Mrs. Hurtle Saga!

So far we have learned little about Paul Montague and these chapters did not really portray him in a favorable light. We learn that he previou..."

The Mrs. Hurtle situation confuses me - it seems like they had a great love affair! But then whether through rumorville or time away, Paul shifts direction.

I sure hope Felix is not representative of society's view on anything! He is the epitome of selfishness, almost not a human character.

Tammy Dayton wrote: "Wow. I feel a lot has happened with new characters introduced. Ladies are getting proposals, but will not agree except for Marie and she has started to manipulate things to flow her way. She is sta..."

Marie's rebellion - is it real? I wonder if she just thinks she has license to rebel against her father because she believes she will always be taken care of in some form or fashion. She seems to think that if she runs away with Felix her father would forgive her eventually. It's interesting that she believes she is so much in love with him - based on what? Is it really ONLY his pretty face?

Ah Georgiana - what a waste! She really did gain nothing from her venture to live with the Melmottes. Would she have needed assistance in finding a man, practically speaking? If so, she certainly has not found it.

Penney wrote: "The night at the theatre is over - I find Mrs Hurtle very interesting and hope she stays around."

Mrs. Hurtle is a VERY interesting character! She has passion and spunk and just as much volatility and manipulative notions as anyone. It's hard to decide whether she is one of the 'good guys' or not! Regardless, I doubt she will give up on anything she strives for without a good fight!