# XIII explained — His Family

> Chapter companion for His Family by Ernest Poole.

## What happens

Deborah recovers from her illness but remains determined to continue her demanding work at the school, despite her father Roger's pleas to take a rest. Roger's attempt to influence her through Edith backfires when Edith reveals a remark from Allan Baird about Deborah becoming an old woman at thirty-five, causing tension. Roger and Bruce discuss Baird's intentions, and Roger reflects on the relentless demands of the city's poor. Deborah dismisses Baird when he visits, showing her independence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reform and Education

Deborah's dedication to her school and her three thousand tenement children reflects the Progressive Era's emphasis on education as a means of social uplift.

### Love, Marriage, and Women's Roles

The pressure on Deborah to marry and have children, versus her commitment to her career, highlights the tension between traditional women's roles and emerging independence.

### Family and Generational Change

Roger's concern for Deborah's health and future, and the generational conflict over her choices, illustrate the theme of family dynamics and change.

## Character check-ins

### Deborah Gale

Recovering from illness but insists on continuing her school work; resists her father's and sister's pressure to rest or marry.

### Roger Gale

Worries about Deborah's health, tries to persuade her to rest, and later meddles by sharing Baird's remark with Edith.

### Edith Gale

Visits Deborah and urges her to rest and marry; uses Baird's remark to pressure her sister.

### Allan Baird

Deborah's physician; visits her but is dismissed; later talks with Roger and shows understanding of the situation.

### Bruce Cunningham

Dines with Roger at his club and advises against interference in Deborah and Baird's relationship.

## Key lines

> The only trouble with you is that you've let yourself be caught by the same disease which has its grip upon this whole infernal town. You're like everyone else, you're tackling about forty times what you can do.

Roger tells Deborah that she is overworking herself, just like everyone else in the city, and that she is taking on far too much.

_Roger criticizes Deborah's relentless work ethic, comparing it to the frantic pace of urban life._

> This work of mine with children—well, it's like Edith's having a baby. You have to do it while you're young.

Deborah compares her work with children to childbirth, implying that it requires the energy and dedication of youth.

_Deborah defends her commitment to her school by likening it to a natural, time-sensitive calling._

> If you keep on as you're going you'll be an old woman at thirty-five!

Edith warns Deborah that her current pace will age her prematurely.

_Edith uses Allan Baird's remark to pressure Deborah into reconsidering her lifestyle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/his_family_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/his_family_se/chapters