# Chapter XXIV explained — David Harum

> Chapter companion for David Harum by Edward Noyes Westcott.

## What happens

At dinner, David Harum recounts the absurd story of Amri Shapless and Lize Annis attempting to marry with no money, which Parson White refuses to perform. David also tells of taking Aunt Polly to a New York theater, where the performance was scandalously revealing, shocking Mrs. Cullom.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_harum_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/david_harum_se/chapters