# III: London Is Really Nothing explained — Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

> Chapter companion for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gentlemen_prefer_blondes_se/chapters/iii-london-is-really-nothing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gentlemen_prefer_blondes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gentlemen_prefer_blondes_se/chapters