# VII explained — Backwater

> Chapter companion for Backwater by Dorothy M. Richardson.

## What happens

Miriam faces the news of her mother's illness and impending operation, which disrupts plans for a holiday. She finds solace in a walk with Harriett and in Eve's return home, where conversations about gender roles and social expectations unfold.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender Roles and Marriage

Discussion of men's preferences for white dresses and the performative nature of women's behavior around men.

### Nature and Escape

Miriam finds solace in the natural landscape during her walk with Harriett, seeking relief from family troubles.

### Inner Life and Consciousness

Miriam's intense emotional responses and internal reflections on the news of her mother's illness and her interactions with others.

## Character check-ins

### Miriam Henderson

Struggles with the shock of her mother's illness and finds temporary escape in nature and music with Harriett.

### Sarah

Delivers the news of their mother's illness and operation, and later discusses men's preferences in women's clothing.

### Eve

Returns home, prompting Miriam's joy; participates in conversation about gender roles and social behavior.

### Harriett

Goes for a walk with Miriam and plays piano duets; discusses the difference of experiencing moonlight with Gerald versus alone.

### Gerald

Mentioned as Harriett's fiancé, involved in plans for a trip and aware of the family's financial troubles.

## Key lines

> The anticipated holidays disappeared. Of course. She might have known they would. For a moment she felt sick, naked and weak. Then she braced herself to meet the shock. I must sit tight, I must sit tight and not show anything.

Miriam realizes the planned holiday is canceled due to her mother's illness, and she steels herself to hide her distress.

_Miriam's internal reaction to the disruption of her holiday plans._

> Was there anyone anywhere who saw it as she did? Anyone who looking along the alley of white road would want to sit down in the roadway or kneel amongst the undergrowth and shout and shout?

Miriam wonders if anyone else perceives the beauty of the landscape as intensely as she does.

_Miriam's sense of isolation in her appreciation of nature._

> It isn't the same as when you are alone, said Harriett quietly, arranging the cuff of her glove. Do explain what you mean. Well, it's different. I see. You don't know how. It's quite different.

Harriett admits that experiencing moonlight with Gerald differs from being alone, but cannot articulate how.

_A conversation about the difference between shared and solitary experiences of beauty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/backwater_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/backwater_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/backwater_se/chapters