# II explained — Crome Yellow

> Chapter companion for Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley.

## What happens

Denis Stone arrives at Crome and explores the empty house, reflecting on its rooms and his own poetry. He then visits Mrs. Wimbush in her boudoir, where she discusses her belief in astrology and New Thought, reads from Mr. Barbecue-Smith's book, and reveals she has invited him for the next weekend. She also recounts scandalous events at the bathing pool and her past gambling, now replaced by astrological betting.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Mysticism

Priscilla's embrace of astrology, New Thought, and the occult as a substitute for her former worldly pleasures.

### Social Class and Farming

The contrast between the aristocratic household and the village people using the bathing pool, with Priscilla's scandalized gossip.

### Art and Artifice

Denis's self-conscious reflection on his own poetry and the artificiality of his literary ambitions.

## Character check-ins

### Denis

Arrives at Crome, explores the house, and visits Mrs. Wimbush in her boudoir.

### Priscilla Wimbush

Hostess, found in her boudoir reading Barbecue-Smith, discussing astrology and her past.

### Mr. Barbecue-Smith

Mentioned as an author of inspirational books; invited for the next weekend.

### Henry Wimbush

Referenced in the context of Priscilla's past gambling and his assertion of authority.

### Anne

Mentioned as possibly reading Denis's book of poems.

## Key lines

> What are thousand pound fur coats, what are quarter million incomes? ... They are nothing. Vanity, fluff, dandelion seed in the wind, thin vapours of fever. The things that matter happen in the heart.

Material wealth and status are insignificant compared to inner spiritual experiences.

_Priscilla reads this passage from Barbecue-Smith's book to Denis._

> A Friend of mine has a Lotus Pool in his garden. It lies in a little dell embowered with wild roses and eglantine, among which the nightingale pours forth its amorous descant all the summer long.

A friend's garden contains a secluded lotus pool surrounded by roses and nightingales.

_Another excerpt from Barbecue-Smith's book, which Priscilla reads before being reminded of the bathing pool incidents._

> Such a pity you don't believe in these things, Denis, such a pity... Ah, that's because you don't know what it's like to have faith. You've no idea how amusing and exciting life becomes when you do believe.

Priscilla tells Denis that faith in astrology makes life more interesting and meaningful.

_Priscilla defends her occult beliefs to the skeptical Denis._

## Links

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