His Family · Chapter
XVI explained
Roger Gale observes the divergent lives of his three daughters: Laura's luxurious and childless marriage, Edith's traditional domesticity, and Deborah's public career as a reformer.
What happens
Roger Gale observes the divergent lives of his three daughters: Laura's luxurious and childless marriage, Edith's traditional domesticity, and Deborah's public career as a reformer. Family tensions rise as Laura's jealousy erupts, Edith disapproves of Deborah's publicity, and the sisters subtly influence Deborah's decision about marrying Allan Baird.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Generational Change
The Gale family splits over modern versus traditional lifestyles, yet mysterious bonds from childhood still influence Deborah's choices.
Love, Marriage, and Women's Roles
Laura's childless, luxurious marriage is contrasted with Edith's domestic absorption, and Deborah's career is seen as a threat to family norms.
Urban vs. Rural Life
Laura's Park Avenue apartment and 'ménage' lifestyle represent modern urban sophistication, clashing with Roger's traditional values.
Characters to notice
- Roger Gale
Scowls at his daughters' modern ways, tries to keep peace, and conspires with Bruce and Edith to steer Deborah toward marriage.
- Deborah Gale
Persuades Laura to run a dramatic club, feels disturbed by Laura's selfishness, and is subtly influenced by her sisters' marriages as she considers marrying Allan Baird.
- Laura Gale
Returns from abroad with husband Harold, lives luxuriously without children, becomes jealous of a 'nasty little cat,' and later joins the family plan to get Deborah married.
- Edith Gale
Disapproves of Laura's lifestyle and Deborah's publicity, stops visiting for three weeks, then reconciles and leads efforts to arrange Deborah's marriage.
- Bruce Cunningham
Dines with Laura and Hal monthly, finds the meals tense, and conspires with Roger and Edith to push Deborah toward marriage.
- Harold Sloane
Laura's husband, works hard, worships his wife, and is famous for his cocktails; his marriage is criticized as selfish by Deborah.
Key passages
“It’s so unnatural! Men and women weren’t made to live like that!”
Deborah exclaims that the way Laura and Hal live is against nature.
Deborah criticizes Laura's childless, self-absorbed marriage.
“I may be very old-fashioned, but I can’t get used to this idea that a woman’s place is in headlines.”
Edith tells Roger she disapproves of Deborah's public prominence.
Edith expresses traditional views on women's roles.
“Those two are so fearfully wrapt up in each other it makes me afraid.”
Deborah tells Roger she is disturbed by Laura and Hal's intense focus on each other.
Deborah worries about the selfishness of Laura's marriage.