The Adventures of Roderick Random

Rebuking Melinda

After confronting the squire, the protagonist turns an angry regard upon Melinda, expressing sorrow that she has rendered it impossible for him to compliment her upon her invention, albeit at the expense of her good nature and veracity. This cutting remark provokes a强烈的反应. Melinda, piqued by the squire’s cowardly response and enraged at the sarcasm, endeavors to make her grievance a public cause. She weeps aloud with spite and vexation, complaining bitterly of the protagonist’s rudeness and declaring that if she were a man, he would not dare to treat her so. The spectacle of a lady in tears draws the attention of all present, and she leverage this sympathy to prejudice the assembly against the protagonist.

Quiverwit’s Sarcasm

The tears of Melinda attract the notice and concern of the spectators, who listen to her bitter complaints against the protagonist’s rudeness. Most of the gentlemen, already prejudiced against him, display their offense through their looks. Lord Quiverwit, however, ventures beyond mere disapproval and delivers a cutting remark with a sneer, suggesting the protagonist is right to establish his own character, of which he now has no longer any doubt. This severe equivocation raises laughter at the protagonist’s expense. Nettled by this mockery, the protagonist replies with warmth that he is proud of having in that particular gotten the start of his lordship. Quiverwit responds with a contemptuous smile, walks off, and leaves the protagonist in a very disagreeable situation, shunned by all present like a person infected with plague.