Dr Thorne, by Anthony Trollope

Tuesday 8th May 2012

We discussed Dr Thorne by Anthony Trollope. Two things were highlighted particularly: money and humour.

Trollope's novel shows how money counted for absolutely everything in the society he was describing - because Miss Dunstable was extremely rich, she was fêted and courted by the noble families of the country despite her plebeian birth. Once Mary Thorne was known to have inherited Roger Scatcherd's wealth, she was instantly a perfect wife for Frank Gresham, even though she was illegitimate, and she is graciously and even obsequiously received by his mother, the aristocratic Lady Arabella. This is highlighted  all the more by the snobbishness and pretentiousness of Lady A and her high-born connections, who had previously banished Mary from Greshamsbury in case she should "ensnare" Frank.
The humour in the book was enormously appreciated by most, though not all, readers. Trollope pokes gentle fun at himself as author, at us his readers, and most of all at his characters. He convinces you that he really enjoys writing, whether or not that was really the case. Most obvious, of course, are the silly names he invents - the political agents Mr Nearthewinde and Mr Closerstil, the venal publican Mr Reddypalm, the awful Doctor Fillgrave, and more. But Trollope has plenty of much more subtle humourous touches.
The characters are very distinct from one another and very convincing. Even Mary, who in some respects is too good to be true, has plenty of backbone and stands up for herself in speaking with Lady Arabella - perfectly politely and respectfully, but very firmly as well. Frank is a very nice but very spoilt boy at the beginning of the book - on his twenty-first birthday - and in the course of the next two years or so he really grows up, taking command of his own life in a very determined way. Some people's absolute favourite was Miss Dunstable. She is not in any way overwhelmed by all the adulation she receives, is sick and tired of men proposing to her simply because of her wealth, but still manages to be polite and friendly. She is older than Frank, understands him completely and likes him very much, and will not allow him to propose to her as he has been virtually forced by his aunt to do. Miss Dunstable urges him to be true to himself and to Mary Thorne no matter what. And this despite the fact that, as she confesses to Mary much later, she herself finds him very loveable.