# Chapter XXII explained — Flight

> Chapter companion for Flight by Walter White.

## What happens

Mimi and Jimmie attend a party at the Crosby home, where Mrs. Crosby has assembled a mismatched group of guests to meet a Chinese dignitary. Mimi observes the social dynamics, including Bert Bellamy's gossip about Horace Crosby's interest in a showgirl named Dolores d'Aubigny. She engages in a thoughtful conversation with the guest of honor about global stirrings against colonialism, and reflects on the absurdities and hypocrisies of the social scene.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Materialism

The Crosby party showcases a mix of social classes, from Iowa relatives to Broadway types, highlighting the materialism and social climbing of the era.

### Religion and Hypocrisy

Mrs. Crosby's casual racism and the use of Japanese waiters for a Chinese guest expose the hypocrisy and ignorance of the social elite.

### Cultural Pride and Alienation

The Chinese guest's dignified demeanor contrasts with the superficiality of the party, and his conversation about global stirrings reflects a sense of cultural pride and alienation.

## Character check-ins

### Mimi Daquin

Attends the Crosby party, observes the social dynamics, and converses with the Chinese guest of honor.

### Jimmie Forrester

Accompanies Mimi to the party, makes a cynical comment about Jewish workers, and whispers commentary about the guests.

### Bert Bellamy

Provides gossip about the guests, including Horace Crosby's affair with Dolores d'Aubigny.

### Mrs. Horace Crosby

Hosts the party, complains about having to entertain a Chinese guest, and is oblivious to her husband's infidelity.

### Horace Crosby

Hosts the party, talks volubly to the guest of honor, and is involved with the showgirl Dolores d'Aubigny.

## Key lines

> How odd Of God To choose The Jews.

Jimmie makes a flippant remark about the Jewish workers, but Mimi is moved by their weary faces.

_Highlights Jimmie's insensitivity and Mimi's empathy._

> I told Horace he oughtn’t expect me to entertain this Chinaman—Chinks always give me the creeps—but he would have me do it.

Mrs. Crosby complains about having to host a Chinese guest, revealing her racial prejudice.

_Shows the casual racism of the social elite._

> There is a change taking place in China—all over the world, in fact. Gandhi in India, we in the Far East, in Africa, in Turkey, in the whole Near East—there is a stirring going on.

The Chinese guest speaks of a global movement against colonialism, reflecting a broader historical shift.

_Adds a serious, intellectual note to the otherwise frivolous party._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/flight_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/flight_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/flight_se/chapters