Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Little Lord Fauntleroy, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The fact was that the strongest power to influence the Earl was his
grandson's perfect confidence in him--the fact that Cedric always
believed that his grandfather was going to do what was right and
generous. He could not quite make up his mind to let him discover that
he had no inclination to be generous at all, and that he wanted his
own way on all occasions, whether it was right or wrong. It was such
a novelty to be regarded with admiration as a benefactor of the entire
human race, and the soul of nobility, that he did not enjoy the idea of
looking into the affectionate brown eyes, and saying: “I am a violent,
selfish old rascal; I never did a generous thing in my life, and I don't
care about Earl's Court or the poor people”--or something which would
amount to the same thing. He actually had learned to be fond enough
of that small boy with the mop of yellow love-locks, to feel that he
himself would prefer to be guilty of an amiable action now and then.
And so--though he laughed at himself--after some reflection, he sent for
Newick, and had quite a long interview with him on the subject of the
Court, and it was decided that the wretched hovels should be pulled down
and new houses should be built.
“It is Lord Fauntleroy who insists on it,” he said dryly; “he thinks it
will improve the property. You can tell the tenants that it's his
idea.” And he looked down at his small lordship, who was lying on the
hearth-rug playing with Dougal. The great dog was the lad's constant
companion, and followed him about everywhere, stalking solemnly after
him when he walked, and trotting majestically behind when he rode or
drove.
Of course, both the country people and the town people heard of the
proposed improvement. At first, many of them would not believe it; but
when a small army of workmen arrived and commenced pulling down the
crazy, squalid cottages, people began to understand that little Lord
Fauntleroy had done them a good turn again, and that through his
innocent interference the scandal of Earl's Court had at last been
removed. If he had only known how they talked about him and praised him
everywhere, and prophesied great things for him when he grew up, how
astonished he would have been! But he never suspected it. He lived his
simple, happy, child life,--frolicking about in the park; chasing the
rabbits to their burrows; lying under the trees on the grass, or on
the rug in the library, reading wonderful books and talking to the Earl
about them, and then telling the stories again to his mother; writing
long letters to Dick and Mr. Hobbs, who responded in characteristic
fashion; riding out at his grandfather's side, or with Wilkins as
escort. As they rode through the market town, he used to see the people
turn and look, and he noticed that as they lifted their hats their
faces often brightened very much; but he thought it was all because his
grandfather was with him.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Context of the Source
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) is a children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, best known for works like The Secret Garden and A Little Princess. The story follows Cedric Errol, a kind-hearted American boy who discovers he is the heir to an English earldom. His grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, is a cold, selfish aristocrat who initially resents Cedric but gradually softens due to the boy’s innocence and goodness.
This excerpt occurs after Cedric has begun living with his grandfather in England. The Earl, though initially resistant to change, is slowly being influenced by Cedric’s unwavering belief in his goodness. The passage highlights the Earl’s internal conflict and the transformative power of Cedric’s childlike faith in him.
Themes in the Excerpt
The Power of Innocence and Moral Influence
- Cedric’s unshakable trust in his grandfather’s goodness forces the Earl to confront his own selfishness. The boy’s belief in his grandfather’s nobility acts as a moral compass, compelling the Earl to act better than he naturally would.
- The Earl, who has spent his life prioritizing his own desires, finds himself unwilling to disappoint Cedric’s faith in him. This suggests that even hardened individuals can be changed by pure, selfless love.
Redemption and Moral Growth
- The Earl’s decision to improve Earl’s Court (a poverty-stricken area on his estate) marks a turning point in his character. Though he initially resists generosity, he ultimately acts out of a desire to live up to Cedric’s expectations.
- His dry remark—“It is Lord Fauntleroy who insists on it”—reveals his reluctance to take credit, yet his actions show real change. The improvement of the tenants’ living conditions symbolizes his moral redemption.
Appearance vs. Reality
- The Earl has long been perceived (and perceives himself) as a “violent, selfish old rascal,” yet Cedric sees only goodness in him. This disparity between self-perception and external perception drives the Earl’s transformation.
- The townspeople, initially skeptical, come to see the Earl’s actions as benevolent—though they attribute it to Cedric rather than the Earl himself. This reinforces the idea that true change often comes from external influences (in this case, a child’s love).
The Influence of Childhood Purity
- Cedric remains blissfully unaware of his own impact. His life is one of simple joys—playing with his dog, reading, and spending time with his mother—while unknowingly inspiring goodness in others.
- His humility contrasts with the Earl’s past arrogance, reinforcing the novel’s idealization of childhood innocence as a force for moral improvement.
Literary Devices
Irony (Dramatic and Situational)
- Dramatic Irony: The reader knows that Cedric’s influence is transforming the Earl, but Cedric himself is oblivious to his own power. His letters to Dick and Mr. Hobbs, his rides through town, and his interactions with tenants all occur without his realizing how deeply he is admired.
- Situational Irony: The Earl, who prides himself on his harshness, is softened by a child—something he would have scoffed at earlier. His decision to improve the cottages is framed as a business decision (“he thinks it will improve the property”), but the real motivation is emotional.
Foreshadowing
- The townspeople’s praise of Cedric (“prophesied great things for him when he grew up”) hints at his future role as a noble leader. His natural kindness suggests he will continue to positively influence those around him as he matures.
Symbolism
- Earl’s Court: The dilapidated cottages represent the Earl’s moral decay—neglected, like his conscience. Their demolition and rebuilding symbolize his redemption.
- Dougal (the dog): The loyal, ever-present dog mirrors Cedric’s own unwavering loyalty to his grandfather. Just as Dougal follows Cedric everywhere, the Earl is now, in a sense, following Cedric’s moral lead.
- Cedric’s Love-Locks: His “mop of yellow love-locks” symbolizes his youthful innocence and charm, which disarm the Earl’s cynicism.
Characterization (Indirect and Direct)
- The Earl: Initially portrayed as selfish, his internal monologue reveals his conflict—he wants to be seen as noble, even if he doesn’t fully believe it himself. His dry humor (“he thinks it will improve the property”) masks his growing affection for Cedric.
- Cedric: His simplicity is emphasized through his daily activities—playing, reading, writing letters—while unknowingly shaping the world around him. His lack of awareness makes his influence even more powerful.
Imagery
- The contrast between the “crazy, squalid cottages” and the new houses underscores the transformation taking place, both physically and morally.
- Cedric’s idyllic life—“lying under the trees on the grass”—creates a pastoral, peaceful image that reinforces his purity.
Significance of the Passage
Moral Lesson on Influence and Redemption
- The excerpt reinforces the novel’s central theme: goodness is contagious. Cedric’s faith in his grandfather doesn’t just make the Earl appear better—it makes him actually better. This aligns with Burnett’s belief in the transformative power of love and innocence.
Critique of Aristocratic Selfishness
- The Earl represents the old, selfish nobility, while Cedric embodies a new, compassionate leadership. The improvement of Earl’s Court suggests that true nobility lies in service, not just wealth or title.
Childhood as a Moral Force
- Burnett, like many Victorian writers, idealized children as pure, uncorrupted beings capable of redeeming adults. Cedric’s influence is passive—he doesn’t preach or demand change; his very existence inspires it.
The Role of Perception in Identity
- The Earl’s transformation begins when he is seen differently—first by Cedric, then by the townspeople. This reflects the psychological idea that people often live up (or down) to the expectations placed upon them.
Focus on the Text Itself
The passage is structured to show the Earl’s internal struggle and Cedric’s unintentional influence through:
The Earl’s Monologue:
- “He could not quite make up his mind to let him discover that he had no inclination to be generous at all” → The Earl is torn between his natural selfishness and his desire to live up to Cedric’s faith.
- “It was such a novelty to be regarded with admiration as a benefactor of the entire human race” → His sarcasm masks his growing enjoyment of being seen as good.
The Decision to Rebuild Earl’s Court:
- The Earl frames it as Cedric’s idea (“Lord Fauntleroy who insists on it”), but the real motivation is his own changing heart. His dry tone suggests he’s not yet comfortable admitting his own goodness.
Cedric’s Unaware Influence:
- While the townspeople praise him, Cedric remains “simple, happy”, playing with his dog and writing letters. His humility makes his impact more profound—he doesn’t seek praise, yet earns it naturally.
The Final Image of Cedric and the Earl Riding Together:
- The people’s “faces often brightened very much” when they see Cedric, but he assumes it’s for his grandfather. This reinforces the idea that Cedric’s goodness reflects onto the Earl, making the old man appear better than he is—until, eventually, he becomes better.
Conclusion
This excerpt is a pivotal moment in the novel, illustrating how Cedric’s innocence dismantles the Earl’s cynicism. Through irony, symbolism, and characterization, Burnett shows that moral change often comes not from force, but from love and trust. The passage also critiques aristocratic neglect while celebrating the redemptive power of childhood purity—a recurring theme in Burnett’s works. Cedric doesn’t just improve his grandfather’s estate; he restores his humanity, proving that even the most hardened hearts can be softened by kindness.