Gentlemen Prefer Blondes · Chapter
III: London Is Really Nothing explained
Lorelei and Dorothy arrive in London and find it less impressive than New York.
What happens
Lorelei and Dorothy arrive in London and find it less impressive than New York. Lorelei tries to educate Sir Francis Beekman (Piggie) in American ways by tricking him into thinking he sent her orchids. She also meets Fanny Ward, goes shopping in the children's department, and attends tea at Lady Shelton's. Meanwhile, she worries about affording a diamond tiara and cables Mr. Eisman for money.
Themes in this chapter
Materialism and Transactional Relationships
Lorelei's focus on expensive gifts like orchids and a diamond tiara, and her manipulation of Piggie to get them, highlights the transactional nature of her relationships.
American Exceptionalism and Cultural Contrast
Lorelei and Dorothy consistently compare London unfavorably to New York, criticizing English customs and praising American generosity and modernity.
Appearance vs. Reality
Lorelei pretends Piggie sent the orchids to make him feel obligated, and Fanny Ward's youthful appearance contrasts with her actual age.
Characters to notice
- Dorothy
Lorelei's friend who makes irreverent comments about English royalty and society, and prefers American company.
- Sir Francis Beekman
An English gentleman whom Lorelei nicknames 'Piggie' and tries to educate in American gift-giving customs.
- Fanny Ward
An American actress living in London, known for her youthful appearance and thrifty shopping habits.
- Lady Shelton
An English hostess who tries to sell shell flowers to Lorelei and Dorothy.
- Major Falcon
An acquaintance who takes Lorelei and Dorothy sightseeing and to tea.
- Mr. Eisman
Lorelei's benefactor, who sends her money for education but is reluctant to fund a diamond tiara.
Key passages
“I mean London is really nothing at all. For instants, they make a great fuss over a tower that really is not even as tall as the Hickox building in Little Rock Arkansas and it would only make a chimney on one of our towers in New York.”
Lorelei dismisses London's landmarks as inferior to American buildings, showing her cultural bias.
Highlights American exceptionalism and the theme of cultural contrast.
“So I told him I was not going to call him Sir Francis Beekman but I was really going to call him Piggie.”
Lorelei renames Sir Francis Beekman as 'Piggie' to assert familiarity and control.
Illustrates Lorelei's manipulation and disregard for English formality.
“I cabled Mr. Eisman and I told Mr. Eisman that he does not seem to how know much it costs to get educated by traveling and I said I really would have to have $10,000 and I said I hoped I would not have to borrow the money from some strange English gentleman, even if he might be very very good looking.”
Lorelei pressures Mr. Eisman for money by threatening to seek it from an English gentleman.
Demonstrates transactional relationships and Lorelei's strategic use of guilt.