Lydia explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Isolation and Community

  Lydia sits alone, physically and emotionally isolated after the quarrel, while the nicknames recall a past sense of community that has soured.

• Power, Manipulation, and Jealousy

  Philip hopes Scylla's marriage will remove her from his way, and the letter to Clarence is a subtle probe into the relationship, reflecting manipulation and jealousy.

Characters to notice

• Lydia

  Sits alone at her writing-table, unmasked, after a quarrel with Philip; writes to Clarence about Scylla's possible marriage.

• Phil

  Has gone out to meet a Jew; not dissatisfied after the quarrel, hoping Scylla's marriage will get them out of his way.

• Scylla Taverner

  Is up and dined last night, seeming well and a little mysterious; rumored to be marrying Clarence.

• Clarence

  Recipient of Lydia's letter; possibly planning to marry Scylla.

• Ross

  Mentioned in the recollection of nicknames; called 'bird-catcher' and teased Lydia by calling her 'wolf-alone.'

Key passages

• “She had not spoken since an hour after Scylla had left, and in that hour they had said worse things to each other than they had said to her.”

  After Scylla left, Lydia and Philip exchanged harsher insults with each other than they had directed at her.

  Highlights the intensity of the quarrel between Lydia and Philip.

• “One does not leave the gutter without a few knocks.”

  You can't escape a lowly background without suffering some setbacks.

  Philip's rationalization of the morning's conflict.

• “If Scylla's the bird, one might call you 'wolf-alone.'”

  If Scylla is the solitary bird, then you are the lone wolf.

  Ross's nickname for Lydia, emphasizing her predatory isolation.