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Chapter 20
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Black Beauty, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Horse Care, Abuse, and Neglect
Class, Transportation, and Victorian England
Good, Evil, and Power
Dignity and Religion
Summary
Analysis
Black Beauty has lived at Birtwick for three years—but that’s about to change. The horses know that Mrs. Gordon is ill, and the doctor visits often. Finally, the doctor says that Mrs. Gordon must move to a warm country for several years. Immediately, Squire Gordon begins dismantling his estate. Miss Jessie and Miss Flora leave first and hug Merrylegs. Then, the horses learn that Squire Gordon is selling Ginger and Black Beauty to the Earl of W, an old friend. Merrylegs will go to the vicar and will never be sold. Joe is going to care for Merrylegs, so Black Beauty figures Merrylegs will be fine. John refuses to take another position right away.
Given how deeply and carefully Squire Gordon cares for his horses, it seems likely that the horses will all be sold to good homes—but Black Beauty’s tone suggests this isn’t a guarantee (he figures, but doesn’t know for sure, that Merrylegs will be fine, for instance). It’s also worth noting that being able to dismantle one’s estate and move to a warmer climate is a sign of just how wealthy the Gordons are—something to keep in mind as the novel progresses.
Themes
On his final night in England, Squire Gordon comes to the stables to give directions and say goodbye to the horses. He and John discuss John’s plans: John would like to work for a horse trainer and break in young horses the right way. Squire Gordon says he can’t think of a better plan, and he offers to help in any way he can. He then thanks John, but John asks Squire Gordon not to speak—he’d like to hope that the Gordons will one day return to England.
John essentially wants to be able to do for other young horses what Farmer Grey was able to do for Black Beauty. By doing this, John will give many young horses a good start to life—and hopefully he’ll be able to create more horses like Black Beauty, rather than frightened and aggressive horses like Ginger.
Themes
The next day, Ginger and Black Beauty bring the carriage to the house for the last time. Squire Gordon carries Mrs. Gordon to the carriage, and John drives the horses to the train station. Black Beauty hears Mrs. Gordon tell John goodbye. Joe stands with the horses while John walks the Gordons onto the platform. When the train is gone, John says sadly that they’ll never see Mrs. Gordon again.
This is a sad, solemn event as Ginger and Black Beauty take the Gordons to the train station. Suggesting that they’ll never see Mrs. Gordon again seems to imply that John believes Mrs. Gordon isn’t going to survive to ever return. This is sad for him, of course, but it also means that the horses will never be able to return to their idyllic life with the Gordons.
Themes
