# XVI explained — His Family

> Chapter companion for His Family by Ernest Poole.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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