II: My Mother’s Last Days explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Memory and Retrospection

  Willie reflects on his mother's memories of her dead infant daughter and the sorrows of the past, which still haunt him despite the new era.

• Transformation and Renewal

  The chapter depicts the physical and social renewal of Clayton after the comet, as well as Willie's personal reconciliation with his mother.

• Social Class and Inequality

  The story of the baby sister's death due to poverty and the doctor's refusal to attend without payment illustrates the class-based injustices of the old world.

Characters to notice

• Willie Leadford

  Returns to Clayton, reconciles with his mother, and cares for her in her final days.

• Mrs. Leadford

  Willie's mother, who dies peacefully after the Great Change, comforted by her son and Anna Reeves.

• Parload

  Meets Willie in Clayton and describes the ongoing reconstruction and educational efforts.

• Pettigrew

  Old Pettigrew, now ashamed of his past neglect, is seen repairing his roof and speaking with Willie.

• Anna Reeves

  Comes to care for Willie's mother, showing kindness and becoming a comforting presence.

Key passages

• “The past is past, I cried, and all the while across the gulf of five and twenty years I could hear my poor mother’s heart-wrung weeping for that daughter baby who had suffered and died.”

  Willie declares the past is over, but he still hears his mother's grief for her baby who died long ago.

  Willie struggles to let go of past sorrows even in the renewed world.

• “We are going to manage all these things better now, I said, feeling a strange resentment at this pitiful little story her faded, matter-of-fact voice was telling me.”

  Willie assures his mother that such tragedies will be prevented in the future, though he feels anger at the story she tells.

  Willie's commitment to the new order is mixed with lingering anger at past injustices.