A Pair of Blue Eyes · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
In London, Stephen Smith visits Henry Knight in his chambers at Bede's Inn.
What happens
In London, Stephen Smith visits Henry Knight in his chambers at Bede's Inn. Knight, a barrister and critic, questions Stephen's plan to go to India based on Elfride's fidelity. Knight expresses skepticism about women's constancy, while Stephen defends Elfride's honor. Knight recalls his own teachings about kisses and inexperience. Stephen discovers a copy of Elfride's novel, 'The Court of Kellyon Castle,' which Knight dismisses as poorly written. The chapter explores the intellectual and emotional gap between the two friends.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Experience
Knight's worldly skepticism contrasts with Stephen's naive faith in Elfride's constancy, highlighting the theme of experience versus innocence.
Fate and Coincidence
The friendship between Knight and Stephen is described as a product of circumstance rather than deliberate choice, emphasizing the role of fate.
Gender Roles and Double Standards
Knight's views on women's fidelity and the critique of Elfride's novel reflect Victorian double standards regarding female authorship and behavior.
Characters to notice
- Stephen Smith
Visits Knight in London, defends Elfride's fidelity, and is anxious about Knight's criticism of her novel.
- Henry Knight
Hosts Stephen in his chambers, questions his plans, criticizes Elfride's book, and reflects on his own views of women.
- Elfride Swancourt
Discussed by Stephen and Knight; her fidelity and her novel are central topics.
Key passages
“All I know about women, or men either, is a mass of generalities. I plod along, and occasionally lift my eyes and skim the weltering surface of mankind lying between me and the horizon, as a crow might; no more.”
Knight admits his knowledge of people is superficial and general, like a crow surveying the landscape from above.
Knight's self-deprecating view of his understanding of human nature.
“Circumstance, as usual, did it all. How many of us can say of our most intimate alter ego, leaving alone friends of the outer circle, that he is the man we should have chosen... The man is really somebody we got to know by mere physical juxtaposition long maintained, and was taken into our confidence, and even heart, as a makeshift.”
The narrator reflects that friendships often arise from proximity rather than deliberate choice, and many close friends are accepted as substitutes for ideal companions.
Commentary on the accidental nature of friendship between Knight and Stephen.
“Its badness. It seems to be written by some girl in her teens.”
Knight dismisses Elfride's novel as poorly written, attributing it to a young girl.
Knight's harsh literary judgment of Elfride's work.