An Old Man's Love

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25001

Title

An Old Man's Love

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Anthony Trollope's poignant final novel explores the complexities of late-life romance and duty. Through the story of Mr. Whittlestaff, a wealthy widower who adopts an orphaned young woman, the narrative examines themes of selfless love, social propriety, and the quiet dignity of domestic life. Trollope's characteristic wit and deep empathy create a tender portrait of human connection that transcends age and circumstance.

Summary up to 500 words

In Anthony Trollope's *An Old Man's Love*, the narrative centers on Mr. William Whittlestaff, a fifty-year-old widower residing at Croker's Hall in Hampshire. His quiet existence is disrupted by news that his friend Captain Lawrie's daughter, Mary, has lost her stepmother and faces a bleak future as a governess. Initially, Whittlestaff expresses reluctance to take on the young charge, fearing the disapproval of his stern housekeeper, Mrs. Baggett, who worries he will fall in love with her. However, Whittlestaff resolves to bring Mary into his home, defying her fears and offering her a secure position as his ward. Mary arrives as a cold, dutiful young woman with no intention of marriage, yet over time, a deep, unspoken affection develops between the two. Whittlestaff fully embraces his role as her father and guardian, sacrificing his own potential happiness for her welfare. Meanwhile, John Gordon, Mary's former suitor who has returned from the diamond fields in South Africa, struggles with his own feelings and the reality that Whittlestaff has become Mary's beloved protector. Gordon finds that Whittlestaff has completely accepted his new role, making it clear that Mary belongs to him. The novel culminates in Mary's marriage to Gordon, a union facilitated by Whittlestaff's selfless love. Despite his initial resistance and the eventual departure of Mary, Whittlestaff finds profound contentment in his non-romantic love for her. Mrs. Baggett, initially hostile, eventually accepts Mary as her mistress and finds peace in the new domestic order. The story concludes with Whittlestaff's quiet satisfaction, having enriched his later years with a love that did not compromise his integrity or the happiness of those he cared for. Through this tale, Trollope explores themes of selfless devotion, the complexities of familial bonds, and the capacity for deep affection to exist without romantic expectation.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Romance
• Fiction