Bertram Cope’s Year · Chapter
XXVI: Cope as a Go-Between explained
Cope acts as an intermediary between Randolph and Lemoyne during a tense dinner.
What happens
Cope acts as an intermediary between Randolph and Lemoyne during a tense dinner. Randolph helps secure a university position for Lemoyne, while tensions simmer over Cope's health, Hortense's artistic pursuit of him, and Foster's bitter observations about the group's dynamics.
Themes in this chapter
Social Manipulation and Patronage
Randolph uses his influence to secure a job for Lemoyne as a favor to Cope, highlighting the transactional nature of social connections.
Unrequited and Ambiguous Desire
Foster's jealousy and bitterness, Hortense's frustrated pursuit of Cope, and the tense triangle between Randolph, Cope, and Lemoyne all reflect unreciprocated or ambiguous attractions.
Youth vs. Middle Age
Lemoyne criticizes Randolph for trying to stay young and consorting with younger men; Randolph sees Lemoyne as a dilettante youth of no real use.
Characters to notice
- Bertram Cope
Acts as a go-between for Randolph and Lemoyne; shows signs of fatigue and pallor from overwork on his thesis.
- Basil Randolph
Hosts a tense dinner; feels physical distaste for Lemoyne but eventually helps secure him a university position as a favor to Cope.
- Arthur Lemoyne
Views Randolph with dislike and distrust; reluctantly accepts Randolph's help to obtain a job and salary.
- Joe Foster
Expresses bitterness about Cope and Lemoyne's manipulation of others; warns Randolph against helping them.
- Hortense Dunton
Frustrated by delays in painting Cope; her aunt Medora is vexed and considers sending her away.
- Sing-Lo
Serves dinner and coffee; smiles only when his maple mousse is praised.
Key passages
“Each viewed the other with dislike and distrust. Each spoke, so far as might be, to Cope—or through him.”
Randolph and Lemoyne openly disliked and distrusted each other, communicating only indirectly through Cope.
Highlights Cope's role as an intermediary in a hostile social dynamic.
“He's cool; he's selfish; he's indifferent. Yet, somehow, frost and fire join end to end and make the circle complete.”
Randolph reflects that Cope's cold and selfish nature paradoxically attracts others, like ice and fire completing a circuit.
Illustrates the magnetic pull of Cope's aloofness on those around him.
“They're completely wrapped up in their own interests, and in each other; and they're coupled to get anything they can out of Number Three. Or out of Number Four. Or Five. Or out of X — the world, that is to say.”
Foster accuses Cope and Lemoyne of being self-absorbed and using anyone they can for personal gain.
Foster's cynical view of Cope and Lemoyne's relationship and their exploitation of others.