# XXII explained — Daniel Deronda

> Chapter companion for Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.

## What happens

Gwendolen's note reaches Klesmer as he leaves Quetcham, where the Arrowpoints are in turmoil over Catherine's engagement to Klesmer. Despite parental outrage and threats of disinheritance, Catherine firmly declares her intention to marry Klesmer, who asserts his artistic rank and ability to support her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Privilege

The Arrowpoints' opposition to Catherine's marriage to Klesmer highlights the clash between inherited wealth and artistic merit.

### Marriage and Gender Roles

Catherine defies parental authority and societal expectations to marry for love, asserting her autonomy in a patriarchal system.

### Art and Performance

Klesmer's identity as an artist is central; he values his artistic rank above fortune and challenges the social hierarchy.

## Character check-ins

### Klesmer

Receives Gwendolen's note, leaves Quetcham after declaring his love for Catherine Arrowpoint and facing her parents' opposition.

### Catherine Arrowpoint

Defies her parents to announce her engagement to Klesmer, valuing love over fortune.

### Mrs. Arrowpoint

Furious at Catherine's engagement, threatens disinheritance and insults Klesmer.

### Mr. Arrowpoint

Reluctantly supports his wife, questions the practicality of the match, and considers Harry Brendall as heir.

### Gwendolen Harleth

Sends a note to Klesmer, which reaches him as he departs Quetcham.

## Key lines

> We please our fancy with ideal webs Of innovation, but our life meanwhile Is in the loom, where busy passion plies The shuttle to and fro, and gives our deeds The accustomed pattern.

We dream of change, but our lives are woven by passion into familiar patterns.

_Opening epigraph foreshadowing the conflict between ideals and reality in the chapter._

> Where marriage is inconceivable, a girl's sentiments are safe.

Parents assume a daughter's feelings are safe when marriage seems impossible.

_Irony about the Arrowpoints' blindness to Catherine's growing attachment to Klesmer._

> My rank as an artist is of my own winning, and I would not exchange it for any other.

I earned my status as an artist and value it above all else.

_Klesmer's proud declaration of his artistic identity in response to Mrs. Arrowpoint's scorn._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/daniel_deronda_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters