Chapter XXIV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Marriage

  The failed marriage attempt of Amri and Lize highlights the practical and financial considerations of marriage in rural society.

• Rural vs. Urban Life

  David's theater story contrasts rural moral sensibilities with urban entertainment, shocking Mrs. Cullom.

Characters to notice

• David Harum

  Tells the story of Amri Shapless and Lize Annis's failed marriage attempt and recounts taking Aunt Polly to a New York theater.

• Aunt Polly

  Mrs. Bixbee is incredulous at the marriage story and protests David's telling of the theater anecdote.

• Mrs. Cullom

  Dines with David and John, speaks with refined diction, and is horrified by David's theater story.

• John Lenox

  Present at the dinner, observes Mrs. Cullom's refined manner and her reaction to David's story.

• Amri Shapless

  Attempts to marry Lize Annis with no money; Parson White refuses to perform the ceremony.

• Lize Annis

  Accompanies Amri Shapless to Parson White to be married, but the wedding is refused.

Key passages

• “Of all the amazin’ things in this world, the amazinist to me is the kind of people that gits married to each other in gen’ral; but this here performence beats ev’rything holler.”

  Aunt Polly expresses astonishment at the absurdity of Amri and Lize's marriage attempt.

  Reflects the theme of marriage and social norms.

• “I hain’t got nothin’, an’ Mis’ Annis hain’t got nothin’, an’ we figured that we’d jes’ better git married an’ settle down, an’ make a good home fer us both”

  Amri argues that having nothing together is reason enough to marry and create a home.

  Highlights the ironic reasoning behind the marriage proposal.

• “to all human appearances you c’d ’a’ covered ev’ry dum thing she had on with a postage stamp.”

  David describes the dancer's scanty costume as barely covering anything.

  Illustrates the moral shock of urban theater to rural sensibilities.