# XXXIV explained — His Family

> Chapter companion for His Family by Ernest Poole.

## What happens

Roger Gale struggles with financial strain and family tensions as his daughters Deborah and Edith clash over household economies and differing worldviews. Deborah advocates for progressive social reform and fiscal efficiency, while Edith clings to traditional domestic standards. Their bitter argument reveals deep ideological rifts. Roger, feeling the weight of modernity encroaching on his home, contemplates selling his ring collection to cover debts. The chapter also touches on Laura's departure and Roger's attempts to reconcile with Edith.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Generational Change

The argument between Deborah and Edith highlights generational and ideological divides within the Gale family, as Roger feels increasingly alienated from modern life.

### Economic Struggle and Class

Roger's financial difficulties and the sisters' conflict over budgeting reflect class anxieties and the economic pressures on the family.

### Social Reform and Education

Deborah's advocacy for domestic science and her work with tenement children represent the progressive education and social reform movements of the era.

## Character check-ins

### Roger Gale

Burdened by financial worries and family discord, Roger retreats to his study and considers selling his ring collection to pay debts.

### Deborah Gale

Argues with Edith about household expenses, advocating for domestic science and taking in a boarder; feels her social work is undervalued.

### Edith Gale

Resists Deborah's suggestions, insisting on maintaining her children's standards; later reconciles partially with Roger over chess.

### Laura Gale

Mentioned as having left bills behind after departing for Rome; her absence adds to Roger's financial strain.

### George

Observes the argument between Deborah and Edith from the study door, later reinstalled in the vacated room.

### Elizabeth

Stands with George at the study door, listening to the argument between Deborah and Edith.

## Key lines

> It has shown that all such mothers as you are out of date and have got to change! That we’re bound together⁠—all over the world⁠—whether we like it or whether we don’t! And that if we want to keep out of war, we’ve got to do it by coming right out of our own little homes⁠— and thinking, Edith, thinking!

Deborah argues that modern mothers must evolve and recognize global interconnectedness, and that avoiding war requires active engagement beyond the home.

_Deborah's progressive worldview clashes with Edith's traditionalism._

> Two mothers, each with a family, and each one baffled, brought to bay. There was something so insatiable in each angry mother’s eyes.

Both Deborah and Edith, as mothers, are frustrated and cornered by their financial and ideological struggles, each fiercely protective of her own children.

_The narrator highlights the universal maternal conflict underlying their argument._

> What have I left to live for?

Roger questions his purpose in life amid the family turmoil and financial decline.

_Reflects Roger's despair and sense of obsolescence._

## Links

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