Dodsworth · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Sam Dodsworth wakes in Berlin after a restless night, feeling grateful he avoided a misstep with Elsa.
What happens
Sam Dodsworth wakes in Berlin after a restless night, feeling grateful he avoided a misstep with Elsa. His thoughts turn entirely to Fran, and he resolves to have a frank talk with her, treating her as a beloved child. He decides to fly to Paris to see her immediately, overcoming his fear of flying. The flight is smooth and uneventful. Upon arriving at Fran's hotel, he finds her with Kurt von Obersdorf, and a bitter confrontation ensues. Fran declares her love for Kurt and her intention to marry him, accusing Sam of ignorance and dullness. Sam, enraged, smashes a vase, but then calms and agrees to leave. He extracts a promise from Fran to wait a month before deciding on divorce, then locks her in the bedroom and falls asleep on the couch.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Disillusionment
Sam's hopeful plan for reconciliation shatters when Fran declares her love for Kurt, revealing the deep disillusionment in their marriage.
The Search for Meaning and Self-Identity
Sam's flight to Paris symbolizes his desperate attempt to reclaim his identity as a husband, while Fran asserts her own identity through her relationship with Kurt.
Social Class and Snobbery
Fran's desire to become a countess and her criticism of Sam's 'dull' friends highlight the class tensions and snobbery that drive the conflict.
Characters to notice
- Sam Dodsworth
Resolves to reconcile with Fran, flies to Paris, confronts Fran and Kurt, agrees to leave, and falls asleep on the couch.
- Fran Dodsworth
Found with Kurt von Obersdorf, declares love for Kurt and intention to marry him, becomes hysterical during confrontation.
- Kurt von Obersdorf
Present with Fran when Sam arrives; Fran states Kurt loves her and wants to marry her.
- Matey Pearson
Mentioned in Sam's thoughts as someone he confessed to during his trip.
- Brent
Mentioned by Fran as someone who will think poorly of her.
- Emily
Mentioned by Fran as someone who will think poorly of her.
Key passages
“All his thoughts blazed about Fran. Why had he let the dissensions, the blame and impatience, all the nothings, grow into a barrier unreal but thwarting as a wall seen in a nightmare?”
Sam's mind is consumed with Fran, wondering why he allowed minor disagreements to create an insurmountable barrier between them.
Reflects Sam's regret and desire to reconcile.
“He had never been in an aeroplane, for all his professional interest in aviation engines. Like most sound people, he had always been slightly afraid of flying, but in his ardor now he despised his fear.”
Despite his expertise in engines, Sam had never flown before and was afraid, but his eagerness to see Fran overcomes that fear.
Highlights Sam's emotional urgency and personal growth.
“I admit I'd like to be a countess. Though how unimportant that part is, a man like you could never understand.”
Fran admits she wants the title of countess, but insists that Sam cannot grasp how trivial that desire is to her.
Reveals Fran's social ambitions and her condescension toward Sam.
“He had cooled his huge right hand by grasping a vase of roses. That hand slowly closed now, his shoulder strained, and the vase smashed, the water dripped through his fingers.”
Sam crushes a vase of roses in his hand, shattering it, as a physical release for his pent-up anger.
Symbolizes Sam's violent frustration and the breaking point in their marriage.
