# III explained — Indian Summer

> Chapter companion for Indian Summer by William Dean Howells.

## What happens

Colville reflects on his past with Mrs. Bowen, who was once Lina Ridgely and a confidante of the woman who jilted him. He attends a reception at her home, Palazzo Pinti, where he meets her daughter Effie and is struck by the beauty of Imogene Graham, a young woman staying with Mrs. Bowen. The chapter explores Colville's self-consciousness about his age and appearance as he reenters society after years in Des Vaches.

## Themes in this chapter

### Age and Youth

Colville, at forty-one, contrasts his own age and appearance with the youthful beauty of Imogene Graham and reflects on his past.

### Social Convention and Propriety

Colville's careful attention to his evening dress and the formalities of Mrs. Bowen's reception highlight the social codes of expatriate life in Florence.

### Disillusionment and Regret

Colville indulges in vain regrets about his past rejection and wonders if Mrs. Bowen still sees him as a pathetic figure.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Bowen

Hosts a reception at Palazzo Pinti; formerly Lina Ridgely, friend of the woman who jilted Colville.

### Mr. Colville

Attends Mrs. Bowen's reception, reflecting on his past and his present appearance at age forty-one.

### Effie Bowen

Mrs. Bowen's daughter, who serves Colville tea and is noted for her resemblance to her mother.

### Imogene Graham

A statuesque young woman staying with Mrs. Bowen for the winter; Colville is struck by her beauty.

## Key lines

> He then remembered that Lina Ridgely in many fine little ways had shown a kindness, almost a compassion, for him, as for one whose unconsciousness a hopeless doom impended over.

He recalled that Lina Ridgely had often treated him with gentle pity, as if sensing a tragic fate awaiting him.

_Colville reflects on Mrs. Bowen's past kindness toward him._

> He was sensible of a better personal effect than the men in frock-coats and cutaways were making, and he perceived with self-satisfaction that his evening dress was of better style than that of the others who wore it; at least no one else carried a crush hat.

He felt his evening attire outshone the other men's frock coats and cutaways, and he took pride in being the only one with a crush hat.

_Colville's vanity about his appearance at the reception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_summer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters