# XXIII explained — Crome Yellow

> Chapter companion for Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley.

## What happens

Denis and Mr. Scogan interrupt Gombauld's painting session with Anne. Gombauld is surprisingly welcoming. Mr. Scogan critiques the portrait and expounds on his preference for the artificial over the natural. Denis, watching Anne, finally declares his love for her, causing her to blush.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Artifice

Mr. Scogan's praise of Cubism and his preference for human-made order over nature highlight the tension between art as pure form and art as representation.

### Love and Sexual Repression

Denis's awkward, strained declaration of love to Anne, and her blushing response, underscore the repressed and uncertain nature of their romantic dynamic.

## Character check-ins

### Gombauld

Painting Anne; initially irritated but welcomes the interruption.

### Denis

Visits Gombauld's studio with Mr. Scogan; declares his love for Anne.

### Mr. Scogan

Accompanies Denis; critiques the portrait and delivers a monologue on art and nature.

### Anne

Sitting for Gombauld; receives Denis's declaration of love with surprise and a blush.

## Key lines

> I am at home with the works of man; if I choose to set my mind to it, I can understand anything that any man has made or thought. That is why I always travel by Tube, never by bus if I can possibly help it.

Mr. Scogan prefers the subway because it shields him from nature, allowing him to focus on human creations which he finds comprehensible and comforting.

_Mr. Scogan's speech contrasts human artifice with the chaos of nature, reinforcing the theme of art and artifice._

> Denis nodded, and then in a queer, strangled voice, as though it had cost him a great effort to utter the words, he said, 'I love you.'

Denis forces out a confession of love to Anne, his voice strained and unnatural.

_This moment captures Denis's emotional turmoil and the theme of love and sexual repression._

## Links

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