Elizabeth Gunning

Miss Gunning. Lord Fitzhenry: a Novel. 3 vols.

London: J. Bell, 1794.

 

Critical essay on Lord Fitzhenry, by Morgan Smith

A Look Into the Past

When Elizabeth Gunning sat down to write this novel, she probably was not intending to write a work of great wisdom. The intent was only to entertain. Lord Fitzhenry probably belongs under the label of juvenilia for Miss Gunning. It was her second work and she was only twenty-five when it was published. Not that it should be discounted for that, though. It was published several times and did receive favorable reviews. Of course this form also allows the writer to espouse her morals and beliefs as well as tell a story. This is what makes this book something more important than a simple tale about a young English lord.

The tale of young Fitzhenry shows Miss Gunning's belief in good manners and nobility in action as well as title. At first, Fitzhenry is the typical young man. He is a gentleman, but he also is described as "frank, generous, rash, and precipitant" (2). This leads him into trouble later, but also makes him more endearing. When he first sees Miss Melmoth, his precipitant nature becomes apparent. With only one brief look he declares her "celestial" (26). In a manner of seconds he goes from curious enquirer as to the identity of Wardour's intended to lovesick sap. All he does for the next few weeks is sit at his friend's estate and talk to her.

This shows something about Fitzhenry's character, too. Despite his self-proclaimed painful feelings, he vows to treat her as if she is already married. He completely ignores his own desires for friendship. Had he acted upon his passion, he would have gone from hero to villain. Anything he would have done for the rest of his life would have been tainted by his disloyalty. He showed his inherent nobility by corralling his first instincts and acting with honor.

Providing an interesting comparison to Fitzhenry is Miss Clarinda Owen. Miss Owen is new money, and her money comes from a source that could be seen as disgraceful. Her father had run a plantation in the West Indies manned by slave labor. The novel does not come right out and say this is bad, but it certainly does make the Owens look silly at every opportunity. Every time they try to participate in a social setting, they embarrass themselves. Mrs. Owens is called a "sycophant" (82), and her daughter is little better. When faced with the "challenge" of an afternoon stroll, Miss Owens is so feeble she has to retire early. While actually on the walk, her company is so repulsive, Fitzhenry's sisters fight over who has to talk to her. Eventually the question of marriage comes up, and all Fitzhenry can say is, "If there were not another woman in the world, I would not make a wife of Clarinda Owen" (129).

This is probably a good stance to have since he is the complete opposite when it comes to manners. When the Owens are boorish, he simply ignores their shortcomings and make the best of situations. At meals, he sits next to them just to allow others to stay away from the coarse pair. He exemplifies class in social situations. This shows the focus on manners in eighteenth century England. There was a way that people of title were expected to behave. Deviate from that expectation, and no matter how much money you have (Miss Owens was heiress to over 200,000 pounds), no one will accept you as an equal.

Aside from the social commentary, Miss Gunning provides an interesting look into the problems of religious difference in England. Ever since Henry VIII split from the Catholic Church, the country had been having problems with reconciling its position. Tolerance did not seem to be the favored stance. Fitzhenry's father, the Earl of Uxington, had a sister who married into a Catholic family despite his father's disapproval. She had been promised the chance to remain Protestant and raise the children as Protestants. As soon as she was in her husband's control, though, the wife was forced to give up the children to a Catholic surrogate. Her husband also cast out her Protestant minister and kidnapped her to the Continent.

Obviously Miss Gunning has strong feelings about Catholicism. The husband, Lord Hillford, is made to look exceedingly evil. Miss Melmoth's Catholic aunt is also not painted in the best light. She is domineering and extremely restrictive. This is probably a knock on Catholic beliefs. Many Protestants feel that Rome smothers faith and places unnecessary inhibitions. Martin Luther provided them with a way to escape that repression. In the end, Miss Melmoth only becomes happily married after it is discovered that she is from a Protestant family and can therefore marry Fitzhenry.

The ending to the novel shows another social expectation. To be a "happy" ending, all of the Fitzhenry children have to get married off. Predictably, Fitzhenry gets his beloved, while his friend Wardour, newly released from his betrothal to Miss Melmoth, marries his darling Elizabeth Fitzhenry. Little sister Jemima, not wanting to be left out, marries family friend Mr. Courtenay. Jemima was hardly in the novel, and yet the author still felt the need to find her a husband. This speaks to the importance of marriage for the time period. Without a husband, a lady had few options. She would probably not inherit enough to sustain herself, and even if she did, she would be looked down upon. Women were expected to have children and families. Being a nun was no longer an option in England, so marriage was just about the only choice.

Though Miss Gunning's novel is just a semi-light hearted romp around the countryside, it does give excellent insight into the times. The descriptions of the meals and social outings show how different her time is than the modern era. No longer do you see the arranged marriage or the five-course meal at every diner. They did not have television, so it was more common for them to travel to their neighbor's house for dinner and an evening of whist. This gives the novel historical importance. It allows readers to travel back in time and experience life as a British aristocrat.

© Morgan Smith, University of Nebraska, December 2002.