Can You Forgive Her?

Can You Forgive Her? is a book by Anthony Trollope, first published in 1864. As the inaugural novel in the celebrated Palliser series, this Victorian masterpiece weaves together three distinct stories of love, money, and social standing. Anthony Trollope, a master of psychological realism and a contemporary of Charles Dickens, uses this narrative to explore the complexities of female agency and the moral ambiguities of the mid-19th century. The story serves as an essential entry point for readers interested in British literature and the intricate workings of the British Parliament, as it introduces the recurring characters Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora.

The central plot follows the spirited Alice Vavasor, a woman of independent means who finds herself caught between two very different suitors: the wild, ambitious George Vavasor and the steady, respectable John Grey. Alice’s internal conflict regarding her engagement—and her subsequent decision to break it—provides the "forgiveness" question posed by the title. Her struggle is not merely one of romance, but of a desire for a meaningful life in a society that offers women few outlets for their intellect and ambition. As Alice navigates her fluctuating affections, the reader is drawn into a detailed exploration of the Victorian "marriage market" and the heavy price of social non-conformity.

Parallel to Alice’s story are two contrasting subplots that highlight the varied experiences of Victorian women. The first involves the wealthy and vivacious Lady Glencora M’Cluskie, who has been forced into a loveless marriage with the rising politician Plantagenet Palliser while still harboring a dangerous passion for the roguish Burgo Fitzgerald. The second, providing much-needed comic relief, centers on Alice’s aunt, Mrs. Greenow, a wealthy widow who must choose between a solid farmer and a flamboyant, penniless soldier. Through these interconnected lives, Trollope delivers a sweeping social commentary on the pressures of high society, the weight of family expectations, and the personal cost of political ambition.