The French Lieutenant’s Woman: Chapter 53 Summary & Analysis

Dr. Grogan tells Charles that Ernestina is sleeping. He demands that Charles explain himself, and he does. He says he deceived Grogan because he couldn’t see Sarah put in an asylum. Grogan listens silently, then turns to the window. He says he wants to find some terrible punishment for Charles. Charles says he thought much before going against Grogan’s advice, but Grogan says lying is unacceptable. He thinks Charles just wanted to satisfy his lust, which is also what everyone else will think. Charles asks whether Grogan would prefer he live a life of falsity, but Grogan can’t forgive the hurt he’s done to Ernestina. Charles asks whether it’s possible to ignore self-knowledge once it’s gained.

Grogan can’t figure out how to deal with Charles’s breach of convention. He’s an experienced man, but he’s lived in Lyme for a long time now. He likes Charles and thinks Ernestina shallow, and he, too, has been lustful in the past. He says that suffering is always evil. Charles replies that good must come out of evil. It’s better for Ernestina to suffer now than marry him. Grogan says he will live with his guilt and only be forgiven in death.

Grogan asks if Charles will marry Sarah. Charles is glad to hear his tone change, because he actually cares a lot about Grogan’s opinion of him. He confirms that he intends to marry her, and he believes she’s accepted his proposal. Grogan urges him to doubt Sarah’s honesty. Charles retorts that men expect women to act like objects to be evaluated and claimed, and they’re judged immoral if they refuse to do this. He points out that plenty of upper-class women are allowed to have affairs. Besides, he was the one who chose to go to Sarah’s hotel.

Grogan says he won’t judge Charles based on law or religion, but Charles wants to be admirably rational and scientific, as Grogan himself does. People have always wanted to be more special than others, but in the end, the elect group are those who have improved the morality of the world. If they don’t do that, they’re only power-grabbers. Only if Charles becomes morally improved, rather than selfish, can he be forgiven. Charles says he has already realized this. Grogan makes to go, wishing him luck. They shake hands. As Grogan leaves, he says he’ll return to whip Charles if he doesn’t leave in an hour. Charles can only agree to this.