# XVI: Mr. Harrington’s Washing explained — Ashenden

> Chapter companion for Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.

## What happens

Ashenden reconnects with Anastasia Alexandrovna in Petrograd amid the Russian Revolution. He enlists her help in his espionage work, while Mr. Harrington stubbornly pursues his business and his laundry. After a dangerous outing to retrieve the washing, Anastasia returns alone, distraught, fearing Mr. Harrington may have been caught in street violence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Boredom and Routine in War

Mr. Harrington's absurd fixation on his laundry amidst revolutionary chaos highlights the mundane concerns that persist even in wartime.

### Class and Cultural Clash

The contrast between Mr. Harrington's practical American pragmatism and the Russian intellectualism and chaos underscores cultural misunderstandings.

### Futility and Cynicism

Ashenden's disillusionment with Russian politics and the futility of Mr. Harrington's business mission reflect a growing cynicism.

## Character check-ins

### Ashenden

Reunites with Anastasia Alexandrovna and enlists her help; translates coded messages; witnesses Mr. Harrington's fixation on his laundry.

### Mr. Harrington

Obsessed with retrieving his laundry despite the danger; forms a friendship with Anastasia; goes missing after the outing.

### Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov

Reunites with Ashenden; helps Mr. Harrington; returns alone and distraught after the laundry trip, fearing for Mr. Harrington's safety.

### Dr. Egon Orth

Provides Anastasia's address to Ashenden; introduced to Mr. Harrington as a potential interpreter.

### Vladimir Semenovich Leonidov

Mentioned as having gone to Russia; Anastasia expresses disappointment in him.

## Key lines

> I can't eat without bread, said Mr. Harrington. I'm afraid you'll have to. There's no bread, no butter, no sugar, no eggs, no potatoes. There's fish and meat and green vegetables, and that's all.

Mr. Harrington complains about the lack of bread, and Ashenden explains that wartime shortages mean none of the usual staples are available.

_Highlights Mr. Harrington's discomfort with the deprivations of war-torn Russia._

> He has been a disappointment to me, she said. I never thought he was a clever man, but I thought he was an honest one. He's going to have a baby.

Anastasia expresses disappointment in Vladimir Semenovich, revealing that he is expecting a child with another woman.

_Shows Anastasia's disillusionment and the unconventional nature of Russian relationships._

> I must have my washing, Delilah, he said. I should never rest in peace if I left it behind me and Mrs. Harrington would never let me hear the last of it.

Mr. Harrington insists on retrieving his laundry despite the danger, fearing his wife's reaction if he abandons it.

_Illustrates Mr. Harrington's stubbornness and the symbolic importance of the washing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xvi-mr-harrington-s-washing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashenden_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashenden_se/chapters