Flight · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Mimi returns to New York from Paris, where she had fled from Jimmie Forrester.
What happens
Mimi returns to New York from Paris, where she had fled from Jimmie Forrester. Jimmie follows her, and they have a confrontation in which Mimi tries to explain why they cannot be together, but Jimmie refuses to listen, declaring his love. They marry on Thanksgiving Day. Despite her happiness, Mimi feels uneasy, and later, she reflects on her life and the forces that have shaped it.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Compromise
Mimi and Jimmie's relationship is marked by her attempts to sacrifice their love to protect him from her past, and his refusal to accept that sacrifice.
Resilience and Self-Reinvention
Mimi reflects on her life as a series of adjustments to new situations, showing her resilience in the face of hardship.
Characters to notice
- Mimi Daquin
Returns to New York, tries to avoid Jimmie, confesses her love, and marries him. Reflects on her life's struggles.
- Jimmie Forrester
Follows Mimi from Paris to New York, pursues her relentlessly, and marries her.
- Mrs. Horace Crosby
Provides background on Mimi to Jimmie and hosts their wedding breakfast.
- Francine
Mimi's employer, who provided information about Mimi to Mrs. Crosby.
Key passages
“I’ll put these silly, childish notions out of my head, she resolved, and get back down to earth again.”
Mimi decides to stop being fanciful and focus on reality.
Shows Mimi's attempt to suppress her feelings for Jimmie.
““You ran away!” a familiar voice accused her as she stepped from Francine’s door into the street.”
Jimmie confronts Mimi, accusing her of fleeing from him.
Highlights Jimmie's pursuit of Mimi.
““Don’t think me foolish, silly, childish. Perhaps I’m all three and if I am I don’t care. I’ve always laughed at the notion of ‘love at first sight’ but I won’t do it again—””
Jimmie admits he has fallen in love with Mimi at first sight, despite previously mocking the idea.
Jimmie declares his love for Mimi.
““That’s just the trouble, Jimmie, I do love you—love you as I’ve never loved before—love you as I know I’ll never love again. That’s just the reason you and I must have this talk and then end our friendship—””
Mimi confesses her love for Jimmie but insists they must part for his own good.
Mimi's internal conflict between love and sacrifice.
““There’ll be no finishing. You and I both will be much happier if we just let that drop—dropped for all time.”
Jimmie refuses to hear Mimi's explanation, believing it will only cause them both pain.
Jimmie's decision to ignore the past.
“Life for her was like that, she thought. Little gusts came and swept her out of life just as she was beginning to find her way about in the new spot where she had been placed.”
Mimi reflects on how unexpected events have repeatedly disrupted her life.
Mimi's reflection on her life's instability.