Customer Reviews

He Knew He Was Right

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While it can seem bloated and repetitive at times, Trollope has a masterful way of illustrating the vagaries of all types of social rank and the weaknesses of human spirit.

I'm particularly amazed at how well Trollope's story illustrates the political struggles over women's rights which raged during the 19th century. In the central struggle between the jealous Louis Trevelyan and his prideful but loyal wife Emily, He Knew He Was Right explores male authority and women's rights within marriage--core issues in arguments over married women's property. As documented by Wendy Jones, the novel was written during the height of the debate in British parliament about these issues. Jones makes explicit the nature of Trollope's contribution to this debate by showing how He Knew He Was Right intersects with the broader cultural discourse of contract, which informs Victorian Feminist arguments, and which was central to an ideal of married love.

Trollope also has a wonderfully entertaining way of exploring the pitfalls of both conforming to or rebelling against social conformity and authority. Human psychology is illuminated as much as social authority. Each way of being is shown to have its weaknesses. No one side of an argument or single character is ever all right or all wrong (save, perhaps Camilla French). At some point each inhabitant of Trollope's finely drawn universe appears intractable to his or her detriment, as if *he knew he was right*. Pride and ego are relentlessly laid bare. Sticking steadfastly to that position is almost universally the most problematic position. I found He Knew He Was Right thoroughly addictive and thought provoking.

i found this story long but very difficult to put down. the author introduced many characters from that era. i highly recommend this book.