The Small House at Allington: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Small House at Allington" is a novel by Anthony Trollope that explores the lives and relationships of the Dale family and their acquaintances in a rural English setting. The story centers on Lilian (Lily) Dale, the younger daughter of Mrs. Dale, who becomes romantically involved with Adolphus Crosbie. Their engagement falters when Crosbie, seeking greater financial security, abruptly marries the wealthy Lady Alexandrina De Courcy. Lily's resilience is evident as she declines other suitors, even as her sister Bell pursues her own romantic goals, particularly with Dr. Crofts.
Key characters include Christopher Dale, the well-meaning squire who supports his family, and Mrs. Dale, who advocates for her daughters' autonomy in choosing their partners. John Eames, a clerk with longstanding affections for Lily, is also pivotal, especially after he defends her honor following her jilting. The dynamics between the characters illuminate themes of love, social status, and personal choice within the constraints of their societal norms. Overall, the novel offers a rich tapestry of character interactions and emotional conflicts, making it an engaging study of Victorian society.
The Small House at Allington: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Anthony Trollope
First published: serial, 1862–1864; book, 1864
Genre: Novel
Locale: London and the fictional county Barsetshire
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: Mid-nineteenth century
Lilian (Lily) Dale, the younger daughter of widowed Mrs. Dale and niece of the squire of Allington. She falls in love with Adolphus Crosbie, and they become engaged. Adolphus asks her uncle for a dowry. Refused, he still intends to marry Lily, but later, at a house party at De Courcy Castle, he suddenly becomes engaged to the more wealthy Lady Alexandrina, whom he marries. Lily stays at home, refusing a steady suitor whom her family wishes her to marry. She helps to arrange a match between her sister Bell and a young doctor.
Christopher Dale, the squire of Allington, a dour but well-meaning member of the country gentry. He allows his widowed sister-in-law to live rent-free in the small house at Allington. His kindness is finally appreciated when he does all he can to help Lily after she is jilted. He also tries to arrange a marriage between his heir and Lily's sister, his favorite niece. At the end, he settles money on both nieces.
Mrs. Mary Dale, the widow of Philip Dale, the squire's youngest brother. She has accepted the squire's offer of a house for the sake of her daughters. She insists that both her daughters be able to choose their husbands freely, despite pressure from the squire to have Bell marry his heir. Mrs. Dale prepares to move into a small cottage in Guestwick, a neighboring town, so as not to be dependent on the generosity of a man whose advice she will not take; however, when the squire treats Lily kindly, the family decides not to move.
Isabella (Bell) Dale, the older daughter of Mrs. Dale and the beauty of the family. She is in love with Dr. Crofts, the young Guestwick physician, who thinks himself too poor to marry her. She refuses the proposal of her wealthy cousin, Bernard Dale, and waits until Dr. Crofts finally offers her marriage.
Adolphus Crosbie, the senior clerk in the General Committee Office in Whitehall, an attractive and impetuous young man. He really loves Lily when he proposes to her at Allington, but his weak selfishness leads him into a bad marriage with Lady Alexandrina. Shortly after his marriage, he realizes his mistake and is relieved when Lady Alexandrina joins her mother in Baden-Baden.
Captain Bernard Dale, an officer in the Corps of Engineers, the nephew and heir of the squire of Allington. He is an undemonstrative young man, willing to follow his uncle's wishes in proposing to Bell Dale.
John Eames, a clerk in the Income Tax Office in London. He has always loved Lily Dale. He saves Lord De Guest, the principal local aristocrat, from a bull, an event that helps his career. He also thrashes Adolphus Crosbie in a London railway station after the jilting of Lily.
Lord De Guest, the local aristocrat who becomes John Eames's benefactor.
Lady Julia De Guest, the kind, unmarried sister of Lord De Guest. She reports the engagement of Adolphus Crosbie and Lady Alexandrina to Lily's uncle.
Dr. Crofts, the physician who becomes Lord De Guest's doctor and finally marries Bell Dale.
Mrs. Roper, a widow who runs the London boardinghouse where John Eames lives.
Amelia Roper, her daughter, who schemes unsuccessfully to marry John Eames but later marries Cradell.
Joseph Cradell, a friend of John Eames and a fellow clerk in the Income Tax Office.
Mr. Lupex, a drunken scene painter who boards at Mrs. Roper's.
Mrs. Lupex, his blowsy wife, intimately involved with Joseph Cradell.
Earl De Courcy, a misanthropic aristocrat.
Countess Rosina De Courcy, the earl's scheming wife, who gets her daughter engaged to Adolphus Crosbie.
Lady Amelia De Courcy Gagebee, the oldest De Courcy daughter.
Mortimer Gagebee, the attorney and son-in-law to the De Courcys. He succeeds in acquiring for Lady Alexandrina a settlement that is ruinous to Adolphus.
Lady Alexandrina De Courcy, a selfish beauty, the youngest daughter of the De Courcys. She marries Adolphus but leaves him after a few months.