Antic Hay · Chapter
V explained
The group, including Mrs.
What happens
The group, including Mrs. Viveash, Gumbril, Shearwater, Coleman, Mercaptan, Lypiatt, and Bruin, lingers at a coffee-stall near the Park railings late at night. Conversations range from Shearwater's disinterest in people and his focus on kidneys, to Mrs. Viveash's flirtatious provocations, to Bruin's disgust with the lower classes. Gumbril overhears a tragic story of a pregnant woman and her husband who walked to Portsmouth and back seeking work, and he is moved to pity and indignation.
Themes in this chapter
Modern Ennui and Disillusionment
Mrs. Viveash's boredom and the group's detached, cynical conversations reflect a pervasive sense of disillusionment.
Social Class and Herd Mentality
Bruin's open hatred of the poor and the group's reaction to the lower-class couple highlight class divisions and snobbery.
Love and Sexual Politics
Gumbril's memories of jealousy and revenge, Mrs. Viveash's flirtations, and Shearwater's reduction of love to a formula explore the complexities of romantic and sexual relationships.
Characters to notice
- Myra Viveash
Engages in provocative banter, flaunts her arm and shoulder, and questions Shearwater's lack of interest in people.
- Theodore Gumbril
Recalls past jealousy and revenge fantasies involving Mrs. Viveash, and is deeply moved by the plight of a poor couple he overhears.
- Shearwater
Admits he is not interested in people, focuses on kidneys and mathematical formulas, and finds his own lack of interest amusing.
- Casimir Lypiatt
Laughs indignantly at Bruin's remarks and looks up at the Milky Way while discussing love.
- Coleman
Makes crude jokes about parasites and pregnancy, and delights in the tragic story of the poor couple.
- Mercaptan
Quotes Latin poetry and comments on Bruin's frank expression of class prejudice.
Key passages
“You don’t seem to take much interest in us, Mr. Shearwater”
Mrs. Viveash accuses Shearwater of being indifferent to the group.
Highlights Shearwater's detachment and Myra's need for attention.
“I loathe them. I hate everyone poor, or ill, or old. Can’t abide them; they make me positively sick.”
Bruin expresses his visceral disgust for the lower classes.
Illustrates the theme of social class and herd mentality.
“All the way to Portsmouth and back again; on foot; without proper food; and the woman’s with child.”
Gumbril recounts the desperate journey of a poor couple seeking work.
Evokes pity and underscores the economic hardship of the time.