Amaryllis at the Fair · Chapter
XXIII explained
Amaryllis and her family struggle to reclaim the comfort of their kitchen after the bailiff's visit.
What happens
Amaryllis and her family struggle to reclaim the comfort of their kitchen after the bailiff's visit. The chapter describes the kitchen's homely charm, Iden's stories of his adventurous youth, and the family's fondness for the room. Jearje, the cheerful laborer, gradually restores the kitchen's warmth through his hearty eating and grateful demeanor, becoming a beloved presence in the household.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Pastoral Ideal
The kitchen is described as a rustic, homely space with a wide hearth, starry chimney, and snow outside, evoking a pastoral ideal of simple, genuine life.
Family Conflict and Misunderstanding
The quarrel between Iden and Grandfather Iden over planting trees highlights generational conflict and differing values.
Social Class and Money
The contrast between the Idens' hospitality and the bailiff's intrusion, as well as the treatment of Jearje as a retainer, underscores class dynamics and economic pressures.
Characters to notice
- Amaryllis Iden
Deeply attached to the old kitchen; feels the bailiff's intrusion most acutely; finds comfort in Jearje's presence.
- Mrs. Iden
Warms elder wine and bakes potatoes; pets and feeds Jearje like a dog; watches him eat with amusement.
- Mr. Iden
Tells stories of his youth in the United States and as a sailor; hospitable to guests; treats Jearje kindly with extra provisions.
- Grandfather Iden
Quarreled with his son over making the farm beautiful with trees and flowers.
- Jearje
The cheerful laborer who eats heartily and restores the kitchen's atmosphere; grateful and willing; treated like a retainer.
Key passages
“But his presence did not die out of the kitchen; they always seemed to feel as if he had been there.”
The bailiff's visit left a lingering sense of intrusion in the kitchen.
Describes the emotional aftermath of the bailiff's presence.
“The beginning, or one of the beginnings, of the quarrel between father and son arose because of this; Grandfather Iden could not forgive his son for making the place beautiful with trees and flowers.”
The conflict between Iden and his father started because Grandfather Iden resented his son's efforts to beautify the farm with trees and flowers.
Explains the origin of the family quarrel.
“Jearje was the one who restored it. He ate so heartily, and spoke so cheerily at breakfast and at supper, it almost made them forget their troubles to see anyone so grateful and pleased with all they did for him.”
Jearje's cheerful and appreciative eating habits helped the family forget their worries and restored the kitchen's former atmosphere.
Highlights Jearje's role in healing the household's mood.