# II explained — Cakes and Ale

> Chapter companion for Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cakes_and_ale_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cakes_and_ale_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cakes_and_ale_se/chapters