The Challoners

"The Challoners" by E. F. Benson is a novel centered on the Challoner family, mainly following Helen and her brother Martin as they deal with family expectations, social standards, and personal ambitions. The story suggests themes of responsibility, love, and the contrast between wanting personal goals and the duties that come with being a family member, as well as keeping a balance between artistic dreams and moral duties. Helen Challoner is found enjoying a peaceful moment in the garden reading "The Mill on the Floss," showing a more liberal viewpoint compared to that of her strict father, the Reverend Sidney Challoner. This establishes the relationship between the siblings, highlighting Helen's annoyance with her limited life in a vicarage known for strict moral expectations. As they talk about literature and their differing goals, their playful talks reveal deeper tensions within the family, specifically between Martin's artistic desires and his father's strong principles. Reverend Sidney Challoner struggles to balance discipline with love in a changing world, making it clear that this relationship will develop as a central part of the story.