Crome Yellow · Chapter
XIX explained
Henry Wimbush reads from his History of Crome, recounting the story of his grandfather George Wimbush and his marriage to Georgiana, the eldest daughter of Sir Ferdinando Lapith.
What happens
Henry Wimbush reads from his History of Crome, recounting the story of his grandfather George Wimbush and his marriage to Georgiana, the eldest daughter of Sir Ferdinando Lapith. The tale involves Sir Ferdinando's reformed life after marriage, his patriotic celebration of Waterloo that led to his death, and the romantic intrigues and spiritual pretensions of the three Lapith sisters. After the reading, the party discusses sleeping arrangements, with Mary and Ivor deciding to sleep on the towers. Mary finds sleep elusive and wonders about Ivor.
Themes in this chapter
Eccentricity and Aristocracy
Sir Ferdinando's patriotic custom of celebrating victories by distributing liquor from a coach, and the Lapith sisters' spiritual pretensions about love and eating, highlight the eccentricities of the aristocratic Lapith family.
Love and Sexual Repression
Georgiana's romantic idealism about dying for love and her fainting spell contrast with George's jealous blackmail, illustrating repressed and manipulative expressions of love.
Self-Consciousness and Identity
The sisters' performative spirituality and denial of physical appetites reflect a self-conscious construction of identity, while George's internal torment reveals his struggle with jealousy and self-worth.
Characters to notice
- Henry Wimbush
Reads from his History of Crome, recounting the story of his grandfather George Wimbush and Sir Ferdinando Lapith.
- Mr. Scogan
Insists Henry must read something and listens to the history.
- Ivor
Whispers commentary on spirit sketches, complains about the heat, and decides to sleep on the eastern tower.
- Priscilla Wimbush
Dozes during the reading, wakes up, and advocates the power of thought for sleeping.
- Jenny Mullion
Makes a joke about the reading being about a ham, closes her red notebook, and goes to bed.
- Anne
Yawns and says she is going to bed but lacks the energy to rise.
- Mary
Decides to sleep on the western tower but finds the leads hard and sleep elusive.
- George Wimbush
Central figure in the historical story read by Henry; he blackmails Georgiana into marriage after discovering the sisters' secret eating.
Key passages
“I can't decide what episode to read you tonight”
Henry is uncertain which part of the family history to share.
Henry deliberates over the reading selection.
“I think I shall read about my grandfather”
Henry chooses to read about his own grandfather's story.
Henry decides on a personal family episode.
“It was a maternal government, highly centralised, and there were no representative institutions.”
George's wife ruled the household absolutely, without any democratic input.
Henry comments on the domestic tyranny his grandfather endured.
“I simply cannot sleep on a stuffy night”
Ivor finds it impossible to sleep when the air is warm and still.
Ivor complains about the oppressive heat.
“Out of doors! What a wonderful idea!”
Sleeping outside seems like a brilliant solution to the heat.
Ivor enthusiastically agrees to Mary's suggestion.
