An American Tragedy · Chapter
Chapter XXXV explained
Clyde is torn between his growing romance with Sondra Finchley and the crisis of Roberta's pregnancy.
What happens
Clyde is torn between his growing romance with Sondra Finchley and the crisis of Roberta's pregnancy. Despite Sondra's affection and promises of a future together, Clyde must attend to Roberta, who is ill from failed abortifacients. He seeks help from a Schenectady druggist but is met with suspicion. The chapter highlights Clyde's desperation, his inability to fully enjoy Sondra's favor, and the looming threat of exposure and marriage to Roberta.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
Clyde's ambition to rise socially through Sondra conflicts with his obligation to Roberta, a working-class girl.
The Female Body and Control
Roberta's lack of control over her own body and pregnancy, and Clyde's attempts to control the outcome through dangerous means.
Seduction and Betrayal
Clyde's seduction of Roberta leads to betrayal as he prioritizes his own social advancement over her well-being.
Characters to notice
- Clyde Griffiths
Torn between his affair with Sondra and the crisis with Roberta; seeks abortifacients and worries about his future.
- Roberta Alden
Sick from taking too many pills; desperate and fearful of her pregnancy, she feels Clyde's indifference.
- Sondra Finchley
Shows affection for Clyde and hints at a future together at Twelfth Lake, unaware of his troubles.
- Thomas Ratterer
Clyde plans to write to him for advice about Roberta's situation.
- Nadine Harriet
Assists Clyde with a parlor trick at the Cranstons' party.
Key passages
“there, in the shade of a pergola which ornamented the front gate, she had allowed him to kiss her and told him that she was beginning to think he was the nicest ever and that the following spring when the family moved to Twelfth Lake she was going to see if she couldn’t think of some way by which she could arrange to have him there over weekends”
Sondra kissed Clyde under the pergola and said she thought he was wonderful, promising to invite him to Twelfth Lake the next spring.
Sondra's affection contrasts with Clyde's anxiety over Roberta.
“And Clyde, realizing what she meant and being so sincerely concerned for himself, appeared in part distressed for her.”
Clyde felt sorry for Roberta, but his main concern was for his own situation.
Clyde's selfishness is evident even as he shows some sympathy.
“Technically he did not even know the meaning of the word “midwife,” or the nature of the services performed by her.”
Clyde was ignorant of basic resources like midwives that could have helped Roberta.
Highlights Clyde's youth, ignorance, and the limitations of his social class.