Golf Stories · Chapter
Sundered Hearts explained
Mortimer Sturgis discovers that his wife, Mary Somerset, is secretly the Ladies' Open Croquet Champion, leading to a crisis in their marriage.
What happens
Mortimer Sturgis discovers that his wife, Mary Somerset, is secretly the Ladies' Open Croquet Champion, leading to a crisis in their marriage. After a period of agony, he resolves to forgive her and help her take up golf, but she has already left him, leaving a farewell letter. The chapter also recounts their initial meeting in the South of France, where Mortimer fell in love with her after she gave him golf advice.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Mortimer's love for Mary is tested by her deception about croquet, but he ultimately chooses forgiveness and commitment.
Self-Improvement and Confidence
Mary secretly trains in Scotland to improve her golf game to win Mortimer's love, while Mortimer's own game suffers from heartbreak.
Social Class and Status
The stigma of croquet versus golf reflects social hierarchies and the importance of sport in defining respectability.
Humor and Absurdity
The dramatic revelation of Mary's croquet championship and Mortimer's overwrought reaction provide comedic absurdity.
Characters to notice
- Mortimer Sturgis
Discovers his wife is a croquet champion, experiences emotional turmoil, and ultimately decides to forgive her.
- Mary Somerset
Revealed to be the Ladies' Open Croquet Champion; she deceives Mortimer about her golf skills and later leaves him.
Key passages
“I don’t care even if you play croquet, so long as you are with me!”
Mortimer declares that he doesn't mind if Mary plays croquet, as long as they are together.
Mortimer's initial acceptance of croquet contrasts with his later horror upon learning the truth.
“I am the Ladies’ Open Croquet Champion!”
Mary reveals her true identity as the top female croquet player.
This confession shatters Mortimer's idealized image of her as a golfer.
“My game went right off for some reason or other, and I’m twenty-four, too.”
Mortimer admits his golf handicap has risen to twenty-four, matching Mary's.
Their equal handicaps symbolize their emotional and sporting unity, but the revelation of croquet disrupts this harmony.