# II: The Verdurins Quarrel with M. de Charlus explained — In Search of Lost Time

> Chapter companion for In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on Swann's death and his own failure to visit Gilberte as promised. He visits the Verdurins' new home at Quai Conti, where Brichot recounts past 'pure buffooneries' by Elstir. The narrator leaves Albertine at home, feeling a possessive attachment. On the way, he encounters Morel weeping on a curbstone, distraught after insulting Jupien's niece, whom he had loved but now regrets his cruelty. Morel, a neurasthenic, fears for his health and his musical performance that evening. The narrator, repulsed by the afternoon's scene, avoids giving Morel a ride.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Jealousy

Morel's jealous rage and regret over Jupien's niece; the narrator's possessive jealousy toward Albertine.

### Suffering and Transformation

Morel's emotional suffering and self-disgust; the narrator's reflection on Swann's death and the permanence of loss.

### Memory and Time

The narrator's memories of Swann and Combray; the contrast between past and present in the Verdurins' circle.

## Character check-ins

### Marcel

Reflects on Swann's death and his unfulfilled promise to Gilberte; visits the Verdurins; feels possessive attachment to Albertine; encounters Morel in distress.

### Albertine Simonet

Remains at home; the narrator notes her changed demeanor and his own jealous desire to keep her less attractive.

### Charles Morel

Found weeping on a curbstone after insulting Jupien's niece; regrets his cruelty but is also concerned about his health and upcoming performance.

### Brichot

Accompanies the narrator to the Verdurins; recounts past jokes by Elstir and describes the old Verdurin home.

### Charles Swann

Mentioned in the narrator's reflections on his death and his past at the Verdurins'.

### Gilberte Swann

Mentioned as the narrator failed to visit her as promised to Swann.

## Key lines

> They had sufficed to make of a living man someone who can never again respond to what you say to him, to reduce him to a mere name, a written name, that has passed in a moment from the real world to the realm of silence.

Death transforms a living person into a silent name, moving from reality to the realm of silence.

_Reflection on Swann's death and the finality of loss._

> I regretted only that the style in which I had asked her to do her hair should appear to Albertine an additional bolt on the door of her prison.

The narrator regrets that his request about her hairstyle feels like another restriction on Albertine's freedom.

_The narrator's possessive jealousy and its effect on Albertine._

> I have grossly insulted, only today, a person for whom I had the very highest regard. It was a cowardly thing to do, for she loves me.

Morel confesses he insulted someone who loves him, calling it cowardly.

_Morel's regret and self-disgust after his outburst._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-verdurins-quarrel-with-m-de-charlus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_lost_time_se/chapters