Amaryllis at the Fair · Chapter
VII explained
Amaryllis observes the crowd heading to the fair from her perch on a wall, fixating on the ugliness of the men passing by.
What happens
Amaryllis observes the crowd heading to the fair from her perch on a wall, fixating on the ugliness of the men passing by. She accidentally drops moss on Jack Duck's hat as he walks beneath her. Later, Jack Duck visits the Iden home, where he is warmly received by Mrs. Iden and offers to take Amaryllis to the fair in his dog-trap.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Money
Jack Duck's elaborate black suit and silk hat contrast with his rustic appearance, highlighting the awkwardness of rural folk adopting urban formal wear.
Gender Roles and Female Experience
Amaryllis's critical observations of men's ugliness reflect a female perspective on male appearance and the double standard in attraction.
Characters to notice
- Amaryllis Iden
Watches the crowd from the wall, reflects on the ugliness of men, and accidentally drops moss on Jack Duck's hat.
- Jack Duck
Dressed in his best black suit and silk hat, he walks to the fair, is hit by moss dropped by Amaryllis, and later visits the Iden home to offer a ride.
- Mr. Iden
Talks with a farmer and then with Jack Duck; indecisive about going to the fair.
- Mrs. Iden
Welcomes Jack Duck warmly, brings him ale, and encourages Mr. Iden to go to the fair.
Key passages
“The crowd began to pass more thickly, when Amaryllis saw a man coming up the road in the opposite direction to that in which the multitude was moving.”
As the crowd thickened, Amaryllis noticed a man walking against the flow of people heading to the fair.
Introduces Jack Duck moving counter to the crowd.
“Tap! the fragment of brick adhering to the moss struck the hollow hat smartly like a drum.”
The piece of brick in the moss hit his hat with a sharp drum-like sound.
Amaryllis accidentally drops moss on Jack Duck's hat.
“John Duck was Another Man—not Mr. Iden. The best of matrons like to see Another Man enter their houses; there's no viciousness in it, it is simply nature, which requires variety.”
John Duck represented a different man from Mr. Iden, and even the best wives enjoy the variety of a male visitor, which is natural and innocent.
Explains Mrs. Iden's warm welcome of Jack Duck.