'The Widow Barnaby' Summary

The Widow Barnaby by Frances Milton Trollope is a satirical novel published in 1839 that tells the story of a widow's quest for social status and a wealthy husband.

Mrs. Barnaby, a wealthy but vulgar widow, moves to London with her niece Agnes, a beautiful and intelligent young woman. Mrs. Barnaby is determined to marry Agnes into the upper class, but she also has her own matrimonial ambitions.

Mrs. Barnaby's first target is Mr. Winterbottom, a wealthy widower. However, Mr. Winterbottom is not interested in Mrs. Barnaby, and he eventually falls in love with Agnes. Mrs. Barnaby is furious, but she is not deterred. She sets her sights on another wealthy bachelor, Mr. Fitzmaurice.

Mr. Fitzmaurice is a more gullible target than Mr. Winterbottom, and Mrs. Barnaby is eventually able to convince him to marry her. However, Mrs. Barnaby's secret is soon revealed, and she is forced to flee from London with Agnes. The two women return to the country, where they live happily ever after.

The Widow Barnaby is a witty and entertaining novel that satirizes the social pretensions of Victorian England. Trollope skewers the upper class for their snobbery and materialism, and she also critiques the middle class for their aspirations to rise above their station.

The novel is also a story about the importance of love and family. Agnes and Mrs. Barnaby may be different in many ways, but they are ultimately bound by their love for each other.

Conclusion:

The Widow Barnaby is a sharp and witty novel that remains relevant today. Trollope's satire of social class and human nature is as biting as ever. The novel is also a heartwarming story about the importance of love and family.