Cakes and Ale · Chapter
II explained
The narrator has lunch with Roy Kear at his club, where Roy tries to persuade him to write his recollections of the late Edward Driffield.
What happens
The narrator has lunch with Roy Kear at his club, where Roy tries to persuade him to write his recollections of the late Edward Driffield. The narrator is skeptical of Driffield's literary merit, while Roy defends him passionately. Roy reveals that Driffield's widow, Mrs. Driffield, sent messages to the narrator, and the conversation turns to Driffield's first wife, Rosie, whom Roy believes was 'dreadfully common' and unfaithful. The narrator remains noncommittal, and the chapter ends with Roy walking him out, pressing for more information about Rosie.
Themes in this chapter
Artistic Integrity vs. Commercialism
The narrator and Roy debate Driffield's literary worth versus his commercial success, with Roy citing sales figures and the narrator questioning enduring value.
Memory and Nostalgia
The narrator reflects on his youthful literary judgments and the instinctive tastes that have stood the test of time, while Roy seeks to preserve Driffield's memory.
Hypocrisy and Reputation
Roy's flattery and social maneuvering contrast with the narrator's candid skepticism, highlighting the gap between public reputation and private reality.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Dines with Roy Kear, discusses Driffield's legacy, and is pressed for recollections of Driffield's first wife.
- Roy Kear
Hosts lunch, advocates for Driffield's literary importance, and seeks the narrator's memories of Rosie Driffield.
- Edward Driffield
Deceased novelist, subject of conversation; his work and personal life are debated.
- Rosie Driffield
Driffield's first wife, described by Roy as 'dreadfully common' and unfaithful; the narrator knew her.
- Amelia Driffield
Driffield's widow, who sent messages to the narrator and is said to be lonely after her husband's death.
Key passages
“I don’t see how you can deny that there must be something in a man who’s able to carry on for sixty years, writing book after book, and who’s able to hold an ever-increasing public.”
Roy argues that Driffield's long career and growing readership prove his worth.
Roy defends Driffield's legacy against the narrator's skepticism.
“I think the instinctive judgments I formed when I was a boy were right.”
The narrator trusts his youthful literary instincts over the opinions of critics.
The narrator explains his confidence in his own taste, citing authors who have faded from favor.
“She must have been dreadfully common. She was a barmaid, wasn’t she?”
Roy dismisses Rosie Driffield as vulgar due to her former occupation.
Roy's snobbery about Rosie's background is revealed.