# VIII explained — Crome Yellow

> Chapter companion for Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley.

## What happens

At Sunday breakfast, the household gathers later than usual. Priscilla Wimbush presides while reading a Sunday paper, making a cryptic remark about cricket and astrology. Mr. Barbecue-Smith attempts hearty conversation, and Mary, having decided Denis is safer than Gombauld, tries to engage him about his poetry. Mr. Scogan delivers a satirical proposal for clerical and military uniforms. Henry Wimbush invites the party to church, but only Mr. Barbecue-Smith declines, misquoting Shakespeare.

## Themes in this chapter

### Eccentricity and Aristocracy

The breakfast scene showcases the eccentricities of the Wimbush household: Priscilla's blend of cricket and astrology, Mr. Scogan's absurd proposals, and Mr. Barbecue-Smith's spiritual platitudes.

### Religion and Mysticism

The conversation touches on church attendance, Mr. Barbecue-Smith's preference for nature worship, and Priscilla's reading about hell, highlighting a spectrum of religious attitudes.

## Character check-ins

### Priscilla Wimbush

Presides at breakfast in black silk and pearls, hidden behind a Sunday paper, commenting on cricket and astrology.

### Mr. Barbecue-Smith

Attempts hearty conversation about cricket, reacts to Priscilla's mention of the next world, and misquotes Shakespeare while declining church.

### Jenny Mullion

Sits next to Mr. Barbecue-Smith and wakes with a start, confused by his comment about Englishness.

### Mary

Sits beside Denis, having decided he is safer than Gombauld, and asks about his poetry with bright gravity.

### Denis

Curtly responds to Mary's question about poetry, claiming he cannot write without a typewriter, and listens to Mr. Scogan's remarks.

### Mr. Scogan

Delivers a satirical scheme for turning clergy's clothes back to front and discusses military uniforms.

## Key lines

> I see Surrey has won by four wickets. The sun is in Leo: that would account for it!

Priscilla reads that Surrey won a cricket match and attributes the outcome to astrological influences.

_Shows Priscilla's whimsical blending of sports and astrology._

> My scheme for dealing with the Church is beautifully simple. At the present time the Anglican clergy wear their collars the wrong way round. I would compel them to wear, not only their collars, but all their clothes, turned back to front...

Mr. Scogan proposes that clergy should wear all their garments reversed as a deterrent and to enhance holiness.

_Illustrates Mr. Scogan's satirical, rationalist critique of religious institutions._

> Sermons in books, stones in the running brooks.

Mr. Barbecue-Smith misquotes Shakespeare's 'sermons in stones, books in the running brooks' while declining church.

_Highlights his pretentiousness and imperfect knowledge._

## Links

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