# II: Fate Keeps on Happening explained — Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

> Chapter companion for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.

## What happens

Lorelei and Dorothy sail to Europe on the Majestic. Lorelei is upset by the sight of a gentleman from her past, eventually revealed to be District Attorney Bartlett, who prosecuted her for shooting Mr. Jennings in Arkansas. She confides in Major Falcon, who is secretly investigating Bartlett's mission for the U.S. government.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Self-Improvement

Lorelei reads good books to improve her mind and studies etiquette for her European travels, while criticizing Dorothy for wasting time.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Lorelei's past with Mr. Jennings and the trial contrasts with her current refined persona; Major Falcon's secret mission hides his true purpose.

### Morality and Reputation

Lorelei's acquittal and her concern about the District Attorney's harsh words highlight the tension between public reputation and private actions.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy

Lorelei's friend who socializes with gentlemen and uses slang, contrasting with Lorelei's self-improvement focus.

### Mr. Eisman

Lorelei's benefactor who sends her flowers and books, and plans to meet her in Paris on business.

### Major Falcon

An English gentleman Dorothy met on the steps; he becomes interested in Lorelei's past and District Attorney Bartlett's secret mission.

### Mr. Bartlett

The District Attorney who prosecuted Lorelei in Arkansas; now on a secret government mission to Vienna.

### Lulu

Lorelei's maid who cried at her departure and has a sad past involving a pullman porter.

### Mr. Jennings

The lawyer Lorelei shot in Arkansas after discovering he was not safe to be around.

## Key lines

> I mean I always love a ship and I really love the Majestic because you would not know it was a ship because it is just like being at the Ritz

Lorelei loves the Majestic because it feels as luxurious as the Ritz hotel.

_Highlights the opulence of ocean liner travel._

> So I am going to take it on the deck after luncheon and read it, because I would often like to know what a girl ought to do when a gentleman she has just met, says something to her in a taxi.

Lorelei plans to read the etiquette book to learn proper responses to gentlemen's advances.

_Shows her desire for self-improvement and navigating social situations._

> I mean champagne always makes me feel philosophical because it makes me realize that when a girl’s life is as full of fate as mine seems to be, there is nothing else to do about it.

Champagne helps Lorelei accept that fate controls her life.

_Reflects her fatalistic worldview._

> So the jury was only out three minutes and then they came back and acquitted me and they were all so lovely that I really had to kiss all of them and when I kissed the judge he had tears in his eyes and he took me right home to his sister.

The jury quickly acquitted Lorelei, and she kissed them all, including the tearful judge.

_Illustrates the sensational and emotional nature of her trial._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gentlemen_prefer_blondes_se/chapters/ii-fate-keeps-on-happening
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gentlemen_prefer_blondes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gentlemen_prefer_blondes_se/chapters