Amaryllis at the Fair · Chapter
XVIII explained
Raleigh Pamment, after his encounter with Amaryllis, feels ashamed and angry at himself for treating her like a common fair wench.
What happens
Raleigh Pamment, after his encounter with Amaryllis, feels ashamed and angry at himself for treating her like a common fair wench. He quarrels and fights with Fred, while Grandfather Iden returns home in a rage, writes a letter, and broods. Amaryllis, having escaped the fair, returns home to face her parents' fury over the lost spade-guinea, endures their harsh reproaches, and retreats to her bedroom in misery.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Money
Raleigh's shame at treating Amaryllis like a 'vulgar wench' and Grandfather Iden's gesture of giving half-a-sovereign to a Pamment servant highlight class distinctions and the role of money in social interactions.
Family Conflict and Misunderstanding
Amaryllis faces harsh reproaches from her parents over the lost guinea, reflecting deep family tension and lack of understanding.
Characters to notice
- Raleigh Pamment
Feels ashamed and angry after his treatment of Amaryllis; quarrels and fights with Fred; tries to soothe Grandfather Iden.
- Grandfather Iden
Returns home in a rage, writes a letter, and broods over the day's events.
- Amaryllis Iden
Returns home after the fair, endures her parents' anger over the lost spade-guinea, and retreats to her bedroom in tears.
- Mr. Iden
Joins Mrs. Iden in scolding Amaryllis for losing the spade-guinea.
- Mrs. Iden
Leads the crossfire of anger against Amaryllis over the lost guinea.
Key passages
“He had sent for her as he might have done for any of the vulgar wenches in the fair to amuse an idle hour, and he was ashamed of himself.”
Raleigh realized he had summoned Amaryllis as if she were just a common fairground girl for entertainment, and he felt deep shame.
Raleigh's self-awareness and remorse after his treatment of Amaryllis.
“Poor Amaryllis stood by the half-open door, her hat in her hand, her bosom heaving, her lips apart and pouting, not with indignation but sheer misery; her head drooped, her form seemed to lose its firmness and sink till she stooped; she could not face them as she would have done others, because you see she loved them, and she had done her best that day till too sorely tried.”
Amaryllis, overwhelmed by her parents' anger, stood meekly at the door, unable to defend herself because she loved them and had already endured a terrible day.
Amaryllis's emotional vulnerability and love for her parents despite their harshness.