Hope Leslie: Volume 1, Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

Governor Winthrop was not a “needy adventurer”; he owns a wealthy estate in England and is friends with many well-connected people. He is known as a paternal, well-tempered man; though forbidding in his looks, he is gracious and courteous to others. Madam Winthrop is a model Puritan wife—she is obedient to her husband but dignified and respected in her role.

At dinner that night, a side-table is set for guests. The main guest is Miantunnomoh, chief of the Narragansetts, attended by two counselors and an interpreter. As these men enter, Hope notices that Everell looks pale. Everell admits that he has not seen any American Indians for years, and their appearance reminds him of his mother’s death.

After grace has been said and everyone else is seated, the American Indian guests remain standing. The interpreter explains that they expect their English hosts to treat them as they would treat English guests in their own homes. Winthrop, who has “urgent state reasons” not to antagonize Miantunnomoh, asks for forgiveness and, despite Madam Winthrop’s disapproving look, rearranges the table.

Everell and Hope try to lighten the mood at the table by discussing how much conditions in the colonies have improved. When Hope asks Master Cradock a question, he awkwardly jerks to attention, bumping the elbow of a hovering servant and thereby causing gravy to spill all over himself. While everyone is distracted with this, Sir Philip Gardiner tries to pay Hope a flirtatious compliment, which startles her, and when he declines to try a piece of venison, Hope jokes that if he only eats fish, they’ll suspect him of being a “Romanist.” Sir Philip blushes faintly.

Attention turns to Esther, as everyone notices how little she has eaten and how pale she looks. Intending to cheer her, Everell asks if he could have the honor of toasting Esther. At this, Hope, Mr. Fletcher, and Governor Winthrop scold Everell in unison. When Everell asks, “What have I done now?” the Governor explains that the custom of drinking to someone has been discontinued at his table for a decade, and that the colony outlawed it several years ago.

Everell claims drinking toasts is an innocent custom, but Governor Winthrop replies that “vanity” is never innocent. Love should never be feigned, so Everell’s “empty compliment” is worthless. Esther and Everell blush and stammer in response. The meal ends without any further attempts at conversation, and the American Indian guests leave rather coldly.

Governor Winthrop retires to his study with his friend Mr. Fletcher. Winthrop hands Fletcher a letter from his brother-in-law, Downing (Esther’s father). The letter praises Everell’s gifts and talents, though Everell is not quite as purely Puritan as could be wished. To remedy that, he should marry a good Puritan girl—namely Esther—as soon as possible. However, Downing warns, the Fletchers intend that Everell should marry Hope. Hope, however, is “wanting in grace” and not a suitable mate.

Mr. Fletcher is “stung” by this letter and, finishing it, begins to cry. Finally, he pulls himself together and admits to Winthrop that it has been his dream to see “these children of two saints in heaven united.” Hope is the image of her mother and has brought Mr. Fletcher comfort, perhaps binding him too much to earthly affections.

Governor Winthrop sympathizes with Fletcher but argues that Everell and Esther seem to have affection for one another, and that Hope would want them to be happy. Anyway, he adds, Hope “hath not […] that passiveness, that, next to godliness, is a woman’s best virtue.” Mr. Fletcher retorts that “a property of soulless matter” can hardly be a virtue.

Governor Winthrop reminds Mr. Fletcher of Hope’s “lawlessness” in the situation with Nelema and suggests that “the modest authority of a husband” is just what she needs. Perhaps the educated and orthodox William Hubbard would do. Mr. Fletcher points out that Hope “inclineth not to bookish men.”

Then the Governor suggests Sir Philip Gardiner as a potential match—he may be old, but he is of good family and a pious convert to Puritanism. Mr. Fletcher is unconvinced and leaves, once more overcome with emotion. The narrator observes that the men occupy themselves too much with “superfluous trials,” but that readers should focus more on “the bright halo that encircled the pilgrims’ head” than on their faults.