What Will He Do with It?

In Short

Edward Bulwer Lytton’s 1858 novel is a sprawling Victorian melodrama centered on identity, pride, and the invisible bonds of lineage. The plot moves between the glittering drawing rooms of London high society and the precarious world of itinerant street performers, brought together by the mystery surrounding a young girl named Sophy. Abandoned to the care of her grandfather, the courtly but broken-down vagrant "Gentleman Waife," Sophy unknowingly holds the key to the ruined peace of Guy Darrell, a brilliant, reclusive statesman tormented by past betrayals. As a villainous, scheming blackmailer named Jasper Losely stalks both families, a web of hidden parentage, financial ruined inheritances, and secret devotions slowly unspools. Marked by eccentric characterizations, theatrical setups, and deep moral reflections on human ambition versus quiet integrity, the novel has endured as a classic example of mid-Victorian popular fiction, combining the intrigue of a sensation novel with rich, expansive social commentary.

The Story

The narrative opens amidst the lively hubbub of a summer fair on a Surrey village green, where puppet shows, booths of gingerbread, and travelling troupes entertain the crowd. Here, the reader meets "Gentleman Waife," an impoverished yet refined old performer with a patch over one eye, travelling with his cherished granddaughter, Sophy, and their extraordinarily sagacious dog, Sir Isaac. Despite their poverty, Waife possesses an inventive spirit, earning a precarious living by performing canine dramas at local halls and mending broken china for sympathetic landladies. Yet Waife lives in constant terror of being tracked down by those who wish to exploit Sophy or expose his own past, compelling him to flee from town to town under cover of darkness.

Parallel to this humble wandering runs the world of Guy Darrell, a proud, immensely wealthy former lawyer and parliamentary orator living in self-imposed solitude at his ancestral estate, Fawley. Devastated by the early death of his son and the bitter dishonor brought upon his family by his daughter Matilda’s clandestine marriage to a handsome, profligate scoundrel named Jasper Losely, Darrell has turned his back on public life. His iron-willed cynicism is challenged when he takes an interest in a spirited youth, Lionel Haughton, a distant relative whom Darrell agrees to educate and mentor. When Lionel casually recounts the touching story of little Sophy and her noble grandfather whom he met while traveling with a young painter named Frank Vance, Darrell finds his hardened heart unexpectedly stirred, agreeing to provide financial help to rescue the child from hardship.

Meanwhile, the sinister Jasper Losely—now reduced from a fashionable gentleman to a reckless, coarse parasite—roams the underworld of London, extorting money from his timid former associate Dolly Poole. Consumed by indolent despair, alcoholism, and a desire for vengeance against Darrell, Jasper seeks to track down Sophy for his own leverage, aided by various low accomplices from the dens of crime. Shadowing Jasper's every move is Arabella Crane, a fierce, iron-willed woman whom Jasper once abandoned. Driven by a complex mixture of scorn, unrequited devotion, and protective instincts, Arabella intervenes repeatedly to keep Jasper from committing fatal crimes, nursing him when his reckless lifestyle eventually leaves him broken in body and spirit.

As the years advance, various friends attempt to untangle the mystery of Sophy's origin. George Morley, a devout and eloquent clergyman, alongside his uncle, the worldly Colonel Alban Morley, work to shield Waife from harm while seeking a reconciliation between Darrell and the world he abandoned. Lionel grows into manhood and enters the army, falling deeply in love with Sophy, though her dubious social standing and unknown parentage threaten to bar their union in the eyes of aristocratic society.

Through painstaking inquiries led by George Morley and Arabella Crane, the tragic truths of the past are brought to light. It is revealed that Waife is actually William Losely, a man of gentle birth who took the blame and suffered penal exile for a crime committed by his worthless son, Jasper, all to save his son from utter ruin. Furthermore, the true parentage of Sophy is uncovered: she is not, as had been feared, an illegitimate outcast, but the legitimate daughter of Jasper and Matilda, and thus Guy Darrell's own granddaughter. The child thought to have died years earlier was in fact another infant swapped by a nurse.

With these revelations, the dark clouds hovering over the characters begin to clear. Jasper Losely, his body and mind shattered by his excesses, dies under the vigilant, merciful care of Arabella Crane and his long-suffering father, having received Waife's unconditional pardon. Guy Darrell, his pride finally softened by George Morley’s spiritual counsel and the quiet nobility of Waife, opens his heart and home to Sophy, embracing her as his rightful heir and giving his blessing to her marriage with Lionel. Reunited with his long-lost love, Lady Montfort, Darrell steps out of his brooding isolation to rebuild his ancestral home, surrounding himself with a restored family.

How It Unfolds

A Surrey village fair Amidst booths of toys and melodrama stages on the village green, two mysterious strangers provoke the jests of the crowd while observing the rustic festivities. Among the performers is the impoverished Gentleman Waife, an old comedian travelling with his sweet granddaughter Sophy, who hopes for a turn of fortune through an old cobbler’s crystal-gazing.

An ominous letter arrives The spirited young Lionel Haughton receives a harsh, scolding letter from his mother after he writes clandestinely to his wealthy relative and patron, Guy Darrell. Lionel is introduced to Darrell’s solitary estate at Fawley, where the grand statesman hides his bitter heart behind mocking irony and sardonic reflections on human nature.

A plea for a wandering child Lionel vividly recounts to Darrell his encounter with the frail vagrant girl Sophy and her crippled grandfather, begging the rich man to save the child from a life of road-side poverty. Moved by the boy's earnest eloquence, Darrell experiences a struggle with his cold pride and promises to provide help for the little girl.

Resourceful shifts in exile Living in modest lodgings, Gentleman Waife displays remarkable versatility by mending crockery, constructing rat-proof chicken coops, and training his dog Sir Isaac to perform in theatrical sketches. Despite his humble circumstances, Waife maintains strict secrecy, fleeing into the night to avoid bringing trouble or scrutiny upon little Sophy.

A parasite in the shadows The handsome, ruined rogue Jasper Losely extorts money from his cowardly acquaintance Dolly Poole while plotting revenge against Darrell. Reduced to coarse clothes and cheap potations, Jasper slips into London’s criminal underworld, crossing paths with shady figures in dark quadrangles to track down the child who holds his key to wealth.

A high-society romance thwarted In the grand gardens of Lady Montfort, fashionable suitors and worldly observers like Colonel Alban Morley navigate political alliances and romantic prospects. Behind the scenes, past manipulations by conniving relatives are revealed to have separated true lovers through misunderstandings and pride.

A life surrendered for love The devout preacher George Morley discovers the selfless sacrifice of Gentleman Waife, who suffered penal exile under a false charge to protect his worthless son Jasper. Guided by Arabella Crane, the hidden documents proving Sophy's true parentage as Guy Darrell's legitimate granddaughter are finally recovered at Clare Cottage.

Restoration and peace at last As the dying Jasper receives forgiveness from his noble father, Darrell surrenders his icy pride and welcomes Sophy into his ancestral home. The family structure is restored as Lionel and Sophy are united, and Darrell looks toward a peaceful future alongside his old friends and loved ones.

The People

• Guy Darrell: A wealthy, proud, and deeply solitary statesman and former legal luminary. Tormented by the early loss of his son and the dishonor brought on his family by his daughter's marriage, he guards his heart behind sarcasm and cold detachment until Sophy and Lionel melt his reserve.
• William Losely ("Gentleman Waife"): An eccentric, gentle old street performer and former gentleman who travels with his dog Sir Isaac and granddaughter Sophy. He willingly endured penal exile and social ruin to take the blame for his son's crime, remaining cheerfully resourceful and utterly devoted to protecting Sophy.
• Sophy: A pure-hearted, gentle girl raised in poverty by her grandfather, unaware that she is the grand-daughter and heiress of Guy Darrell. Her natural elegance, warmth, and innocence win the hearts of everyone she encounters, eventually uniting two severed family lines.
• Jasper Losely: William Waife’s son and Sophy’s father; a strikingly handsome man who devolved into a ruthless, indolent blackmailer and drunkard. Driven by vanity, greed, and a bitter thirst for vengeance against Darrell, his descent ends in physical breakdown and tragic self-destruction.
• Lionel Haughton: A brave, warm-hearted, and ambitious young soldier related to Darrell. His unselfish pleading on behalf of Sophy first sets the story's resolution in motion, and his steadfast devotion to her survives all barriers of social class.
• Arabella Crane (Mrs. Crane): A stern, iron-willed woman in grey who was once spurned by Jasper. Despite his cruelty, she remains his relentless guardian and captor, using her sharp intelligence to thwart his violent schemes and ultimately bring the truth of Sophy's birth to light.
• George Morley: A scholarly, eloquent clergyman who overcame a severe speech impediment through sheer strength of will. He acts as the moral conscience of the novel, helping uncover Waife’s innocence and counseling Darrell toward forgiveness.
• Colonel Alban Morley: A shrewd, worldly London clubman and uncle to George, who navigates high-society gossip and quietly works behind the scenes to manage Darrell’s public affairs and shield his friends from scandal.

In Its Own Voice

When Darrell reflects upon the callous nature of society and human self-interest, he muses over his quiet estate lake:

"Naturally I support the vested rights of pike. I have been a lawyer."

Describing the resourceful, itinerant nature of Gentleman Waife as he navigates poverty with clever odd jobs, the narrative notes:

"There are persons, however, who might have a good stock of talent, if they did not turn it all into small change."

When George Morley counsels Darrell on the hidden internal struggles that define a human life beyond mere external events, he observes:

"In such a year occurred a visible something--a gain--a loss--a success--a disappointment; the People of the Heart crowned or deposed a King."

What It's Really About

At its core, What Will He Do with It? is an extended meditation on the burden of pride and the true nature of nobility. Bulwer Lytton contrasts the world's standard of social position—represented by grand estates, aristocratic pedigrees, and political influence—with the genuine moral worth found in self-sacrifice and humble devotion.

The central conflict of the book rests on how different men react to suffering and betrayal. Guy Darrell responds to personal tragedy by withdrawing into an icy fortress of intellectual arrogance and bitterness, allowing his pride to isolate him from those who love him. In direct contrast, "Gentleman Waife" responds to an even greater injustice by embracing humiliation, poverty, and disgrace, turning his talents to humble street performances simply to guard his granddaughter from harm.

The novel continuously asks what one ought to "do" with the talents, wealth, and life choices granted to them. Through the monstrous decay of Jasper Losely, the book illustrates how vanity and unchecked self-indulgence currupt innate gifts into pure destruction. Conversely, through George Morley's pastoral devotion and Waife's enduring patience, Lytton argues that redemption and true honor are achieved only when personal pride is surrendered in service to others and guided by divine mercy.

Why Read It Today

What Will He Do with It? offers modern readers an immersive dive into the full-throated drama of mid-Victorian fiction. It appeals particularly to lovers of Dickensian characterization, intricate multi-layered plots, and expansive social panoramas that stretch from rural carnivals and dingy London alleyways to grand country mansions and elite London clubs.

The reading experience is rich, leisurely, and deeply atmospheric. Bulwer Lytton writes with a distinct, stately intelligence, flavoring his narrative with theatrical flourishes, classical allusions, and sharp thematic digressions. Readers will find immense pleasure in the theatrical, heartwarming companionship between the resourceful Gentleman Waife and his remarkably clever dog, Sir Isaac, whose presence brings a delightful levity to the novel's darker mysteries.

Honesty demands acknowledging that the book presents certain Victorian hurdles. It is a long, deliberate work that demands patience, as the author frequently pauses the action to offer philosophical reflections on human nature, law, and social class. Modern readers may also find the aristocratic emphasis on bloodlines and formal decorum somewhat antiquated, while the occasional use of period slang among London's underworld requires attentive reading.

Yet, what stays with the reader is the poignant tenderness at the book's heart. The bond between Waife and little Sophy stands as one of the most touching grandparent-child relationships in 19th-century literature. Beneath its melodramatic reveals and Victorian conventions lies a deeply felt, compassionate story about the quiet power of love to heal the deepest wounds of human pride.

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<Elicitation label="Compare 'Gentleman Waife' with classic Dickens characters" query="How does the character of 'Gentleman Waife' in Edward Bulwer Lytton's What Will He Do with It? compare to similar itinerant or selfless characters in Charles Dickens's novels?"/> <Elicitation label="Analyze the moral architecture and theme of pride in the novel" query="Provide an in-depth thematic analysis of how pride and self-sacrifice are contrasted between Guy Darrell and William Losely in What Will He Do with It?."/> <Elicitation label="Examine the role of theatricality and illusion in the plot" query="Discuss the use of theatricality, stagecraft, and disguise as central narrative devices throughout What Will He Do with It?."/> </ElicitationsGroup>