Amaryllis at the Fair · Chapter
V explained
Iden rests after his midday meal, thinking and eating a baked apple while reflecting on the virtues of fruit and America.
What happens
Iden rests after his midday meal, thinking and eating a baked apple while reflecting on the virtues of fruit and America. Mrs. Iden confronts him angrily about his sleeping and lack of money-making, thumping him as he leaves for the garden. Later, in a fit of rage, she tramples the daffodil Amaryllis had found, then retreats to her bedroom to cry over a faded glove from her honeymoon. Amaryllis quietly prepares tea, defending her father in her thoughts but remaining silent to avoid conflict.
Themes in this chapter
Family Conflict and Misunderstanding
Mrs. Iden's anger and thumping of Mr. Iden, her trampling of the daffodil, and Amaryllis's silent loyalty to her father highlight ongoing familial tensions.
Nature and the Pastoral Ideal
Iden's lengthy meditation on apples, orchards, and the natural medicine of fruit reflects a pastoral ideal and connection to the land.
The Passage of Time and Loss
Mrs. Iden's tears over the faded honeymoon glove and the crushed daffodil evoke loss and the fading of past happiness.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Iden
Rests after midday meal, thinks about apples and America, eats a baked apple, and is thumped by Mrs. Iden as he goes to the garden.
- Mrs. Iden
Angrily thumps Mr. Iden for sleeping, tramples the daffodil, then cries over a faded honeymoon glove in her bedroom.
- Amaryllis Iden
Silently defends her father while making tea, finds her daffodil crushed, and hides her grief and indignation.
Key passages
“He was not asleep—he was thinking. Sometimes, of course, it happened that slumber was induced by the position in which he placed himself; slumber, however, was not his intent. He liked to rest after his midday meal and think.”
Iden was not actually asleep; he was deliberately resting and thinking after lunch, though sometimes he dozed off unintentionally.
Clarifies Iden's habit of contemplative rest.
“A baked apple, he said, was the most wholesome thing in the world; it corrected the stomach, prevented acidity, improved digestion, and gave tone to all the food that had been eaten previously.”
Iden believed baked apples were extremely healthy, aiding digestion and preventing stomach problems.
Highlights Iden's apple philosophy.
“Mrs. Iden slammed the door, and went in to clear the dinner things, and make ready for tea. Amaryllis helped her. “He’ll want his tea in half an hour,” said Mrs. Iden. “What’s the use of his going out to work for half an hour?””
After thumping Iden out, Mrs. Iden prepared for tea, complaining that working for only half an hour was pointless.
Shows Mrs. Iden's frustration with Iden's work habits.
“She turned it over in her hands, and her tears spotted it once more.”
Mrs. Iden handled the old glove and cried over it again.
Illustrates her nostalgia and sorrow.