# XXVII explained — Crome Yellow

> Chapter companion for Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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