Emily of New Moon · Chapter
A Weaver of Dreams explained
Emily submits her poem 'Evening Dreams' to the Enterprise, but it is rejected, leading to bitter disappointment.
What happens
Emily submits her poem 'Evening Dreams' to the Enterprise, but it is rejected, leading to bitter disappointment. She gradually recovers by writing a story that vilifies the editor. Meanwhile, she grows accustomed to Mr. Carpenter, the new teacher, who is a brilliant but fallen man with a temper and a drinking problem. Emily also faces family pressure about her future, with Uncle Wallace suggesting she train as a teacher, but Aunt Elizabeth refuses, insisting she will not become a 'slave to the public.'
Themes in this chapter
Imagination and Creativity
Emily's poetic aspirations and her process of writing, submitting, and coping with rejection highlight the creative drive and the pain of artistic disappointment.
Individuality vs. Conformity
Emily resists Aunt Ruth's demand to be a 'different girl' and insists on being herself, while Aunt Elizabeth's refusal to let her study for the Entrance reflects societal pressures on girls.
Family and Belonging
Family dynamics are central: Aunt Elizabeth's authority, Uncle Wallace's intervention, and Aunt Ruth's criticism all shape Emily's sense of place and future.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Submits her poem 'Evening Dreams' to the Enterprise, suffers rejection, and later writes a story to vent her frustration. She also argues with Aunt Ruth about her appearance and pleads with Aunt Elizabeth to study for the Entrance.
- Mr. Carpenter
The new teacher at Blair Water School, a former brilliant student ruined by drink, who teaches in an unconventional manner and initially greets Emily with a gruff remark about her poetry.
- Perry Miller
Furious at the editor's rejection of Emily's poem, offers to go to Charlottetown to 'bust' the editor's head. He also retorts to Mr. Carpenter's bellowing with a joke.
- Aunt Elizabeth Murray
Refuses to let Emily study for the Entrance, insisting she will not become a 'slave to the public,' and reminds Uncle Wallace of what happened to Juliet.
- Aunt Laura Murray
Defends Emily's appearance privately after Aunt Ruth criticizes her, but does not say it within Emily's hearing.
- Aunt Ruth
Criticizes Emily as vain, pert, unchildlike, and sly, warning that she is 'deep as the sea.'
- Uncle Wallace
Suggests Emily be sent to Queen's Academy to train as a teacher, offering to share the expense, but is overruled by Aunt Elizabeth.
- Ilse Burnley
Likes Mr. Carpenter from the start because he upsets school traditions.
Key passages
“She drained the draught of failure to the very dregs. It was horribly real and tragic to her. She felt exactly as if she had been slapped in the face.”
Emily experienced the full bitterness of failure, feeling it as a harsh, personal blow.
Describes Emily's intense emotional reaction to the rejection of her poem.
“Outgrowing things we love is never a pleasant process.”
Letting go of things we once cherished is always difficult.
Reflects on Emily's painful realization that some of her early writings no longer satisfy her.
“He never said any of the biting things Miss Brownell was wont to say, which rankled and festered for weeks; his hail of words fell alike on just and unjust and rolled off harmlessly.”
Unlike Miss Brownell's hurtful remarks, Mr. Carpenter's scoldings were loud but not personally wounding, and everyone quickly forgot them.
Contrasts Mr. Carpenter's teaching style with Miss Brownell's.
