Amaryllis at the Fair · Chapter
XII explained
Amaryllis attends Grandfather Iden's annual dinner, where she feels scrutinized and undervalued by her relatives.
What happens
Amaryllis attends Grandfather Iden's annual dinner, where she feels scrutinized and undervalued by her relatives. She reflects on her status as the only Miss Iden and heiress, while her father's absence highlights the family rift. Grandfather Iden's eccentricities, including his diet of pork and superstitions, are detailed.
Themes in this chapter
Family Conflict and Misunderstanding
The deep rift between Grandfather Iden and his son is evident; relatives hope for disinheritance; Amaryllis feels surrounded by enemies.
Social Class and Money
Amaryllis's status as heiress and the importance of the spade guineas drive family dynamics; seating arrangement reflects hierarchy.
Characters to notice
- Amaryllis Iden
Feels stared at and quizzed by relatives; tries to assert her status as heiress and only Miss Iden; sits low at the table and is displeased; hopes her father will arrive.
- Grandfather Iden
Dines alone on pork; keeps a peacock feather despite superstition; has not signed a will; eats pig-meat daily and walks early in the morning.
- Mr. Iden
Absent from the dinner; his empty chair is a sign of the gulf between him and his father; sends apples for sauce to Grandfather Iden.
Key passages
“Amaryllis was aware how they all stared at her and quizzed her over and over; her hair, her face, her form, but most of all her dress.”
Amaryllis felt the relatives scrutinizing every part of her appearance, especially her outdated dress.
Highlights her discomfort and the family's focus on material status.
“If the son were disinherited, consider the enormous profit to the rest of them!”
The relatives would greatly benefit if Grandfather Iden disinherited his only son.
Reveals the greed and conflict within the family.