Crome Yellow · Chapter
XXVII explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Scogan, disguised as the fortune-teller Sesostris, terrifies and amuses the village fete attendees with his ominous predictions. Denis observes him through a crack in the tent, then wanders the fete, encountering the Bodihams' disapproval of the swimming, Mary's energetic management of children's sports, and Anne's tea tent. He retrieves a copy of his poem, reads it with mixed pride, and retreats to the library for quiet and a drink.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Artifice
Mr. Scogan's theatrical fortune-telling and Denis's self-conscious appreciation of his own poem highlight the performative and artificial aspects of art and identity.
Self-Consciousness and Identity
Denis's introspection about his 'tenuous membrane' soul and his retreat from the crowd underscore his acute self-awareness and discomfort with social roles.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Scogan
Disguised as Sesostris, the Sorceress of Ecbatana, he delivers terrifying and suggestive prophecies to villagers.
- Denis
Observes Scogan's act, wanders the fete, reads his poem, and retreats to the library for solitude.
- Anne
Works the urn at the tea tent, looking grim and flushed, and sells Denis's poem.
- Mary
Directs children's sports with immense energy; discusses birth control with a villager.
- Mr. Bodiham
Observes the swimming from behind a yew hedge, muttering 'How long?' in disapproval.
- Mrs. Bodiham
Hisses 'Disgusting!' while watching the swimmers with her husband.
Key passages
“Dressed in a black skirt and a red bodice, with a yellow-and-red bandana handkerchief tied round his black wig, he looked—sharp-nosed, brown, and wrinkled—like the Bohemian Hag of Frith's Derby Day.”
Mr. Scogan's costume and appearance made him resemble a stereotypical fortune-teller from a famous painting.
Describes Scogan's disguise as Sesostris.
“He was thinking again that his soul was a pale, tenuous membrane, when he was startled by hearing a thin, sibilant voice, speaking apparently from just above his head, pronounce the single word 'Disgusting!'”
Denis's self-perception of fragility is interrupted by Mrs. Bodiham's harsh criticism of the swimmers.
Highlights Denis's self-consciousness and the Bodihams' moral disapproval.
“The thing had its merits. Oh, decidedly, decidedly! But how unpleasant the crowd smelt!”
Denis feels proud of his poem but is repelled by the physical reality of the fete.
Shows Denis's conflicted feelings about his art and his social discomfort.