Bertram Cope’s Year · Chapter
XXV: Cope in Double Danger explained
Cope and Lemoyne settle into their new domestic routine, refining their ménage and focusing on their respective academic and artistic pursuits.
What happens
Cope and Lemoyne settle into their new domestic routine, refining their ménage and focusing on their respective academic and artistic pursuits. Cope works on his thesis, while Lemoyne studies psychology and considers a role in a musical play. They attend events together but avoid Ashburn Avenue and the studio due to tensions over the unfinished portrait. At a reception, Cope meets Medora Phillips, who discovers that Carolyn Thorpe has published two sonnets seemingly addressed to Cope. Mrs. Phillips suspects Cope is the subject, causing him discomfort. Later, Lemoyne learns of the poems and, despite initial vexation, sees them as a useful distraction from Cope's sittings with Hortense. The chapter ends with a tense but reconciliatory moment between Cope and Lemoyne.
Themes in this chapter
Unrequited and Ambiguous Desire
Carolyn Thorpe's sonnets are interpreted as a passionate tribute to Cope, highlighting unreciprocated feelings; Cope's discomfort underscores the ambiguity of his own desires.
Performance and Artifice
Cope and Lemoyne maintain a facade of domestic peace despite disputes; Cope's social attendance and the portrait sittings are performances of civility.
Escape and Confinement
Cope feels trapped by the attentions of Mrs. Phillips, Carolyn, and Hortense; he longs to return to the simplicity of his life with Lemoyne, recalling Winnebago as a place of escape.
Characters to notice
- Bertram Cope
Focuses on his thesis and domestic life with Lemoyne; feels pressured by Carolyn's sonnets and Hortense's portrait.
- Arthur Lemoyne
Studies psychology and pursues a musical play; shares domestic disputes and reconciliations with Cope; views Carolyn's poems as a strategic distraction.
- Medora Phillips
Attends the same reception as Cope; discovers Carolyn's sonnets and immediately suspects Cope is the subject; continues to promote Hortense's portrait.
- Carolyn Thorpe
Publishes two sonnets in a local magazine, which Mrs. Phillips interprets as a tribute to Cope.
- Hortense Dunton
Has finally taken a studio for portraits; is painting Cope's picture, though progress has been slow.
- Mrs. Ryder
Bustles up at the reception, excited about Carolyn's poems and Hortense's studio; receives details about the art world from Cope.
Key passages
““It will make a difference, in salary, of three or four hundred dollars,” he declared.”
Cope emphasizes that his thesis will lead to a significant salary increase of three to four hundred dollars.
Highlights Cope's pragmatic view of his academic work as a means to financial advancement.
““I wonder who ‘the only begetter’ may be.””
Mrs. Phillips speculates about the real-life inspiration behind Carolyn Thorpe's sonnets.
Reflects the social tendency to interpret art as personal confession, a theme of the chapter.
““Winnebago seems mighty far off. We got on there, at least.””
Lemoyne nostalgically recalls their harmonious life in Winnebago, contrasting it with their current tensions.
Emphasizes the theme of escape and confinement, as both men yearn for a simpler past.