Alice Adams · Chapter
XIX explained
Alice and her mother discuss the necessity of inviting Arthur Russell to dinner, revealing Alice's anxiety about her family's modest home and her own deceptions.
What happens
Alice and her mother discuss the necessity of inviting Arthur Russell to dinner, revealing Alice's anxiety about her family's modest home and her own deceptions. Mrs. Adams plans an elaborate meal to impress Arthur, while Virgil Adams reluctantly agrees to fund the dinner and wear his old dress suit. Meanwhile, Walter's mysterious absence and empty closet hint at trouble.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
The Adams family stages an elaborate dinner to project wealth and refinement, hiding their true financial struggles and Alice's lies about her background.
Family Dynamics and Sacrifice
Virgil reluctantly sacrifices money for the dinner to support Alice's social prospects, while Mrs. Adams pressures the family to maintain appearances despite internal tensions.
Characters to notice
- Alice Adams
Alice is anxious about Arthur Russell's impending visit, fearing he will discover the truth about her family's poverty and her lies. She reluctantly agrees to the dinner.
- Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Adams orchestrates the dinner plans, insisting it is necessary to maintain appearances. She secures money from Virgil and arranges for a fancy meal.
- Virgil Adams
Virgil is upset about Walter's demand for $350 and reluctantly agrees to fund the dinner. He complains about wearing his old dress suit.
- Walter Adams
Walter is absent from his room; his closet is empty, and Alice assumes he took his clothes to be pressed, but his disappearance is suspicious.
- Arthur Russell
Arthur is the guest of honor for the planned dinner, though he is unaware of the family's struggles and Alice's deceptions.
Key passages
“I feel a tricky mess beside him! I don't see why he likes me; and sometimes I'm afraid he wouldn't if he knew me.”
Alice admits she feels deceitful compared to Arthur's honesty and fears he would reject her if he discovered her true self.
Alice's confession to her mother reveals her guilt over her pretenses and her fear of losing Arthur.
“What will he think? These old chairs—they're hideous. I'll scrub those soot-streaks on the columns: it won't do any good, though.”
Alice worries about Arthur's impression of their shabby home, realizing her efforts to clean cannot hide its flaws.
Alice's internal monologue shows her anxiety about the disparity between her lies and her family's reality.