Indian Summer · Chapter
Chapter XI explained
Colville reflects on his behavior toward Mrs.
What happens
Colville reflects on his behavior toward Mrs. Bowen and realizes he has abused her generosity. He visits Mr. Waters, then confronts Mrs. Bowen about Imogene's letter. Mrs. Bowen admits she warned Imogene about Colville, leading to a tense exchange. Colville decides to leave Florence, and Mrs. Bowen informs Imogene, who breaks down in tears. The chapter ends with Imogene's self-reproach and Mrs. Bowen's insistence on a promise not to write to Colville.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment and Regret
Colville feels flat and mean after his victory over Mrs. Bowen, and regrets his behavior.
Social Convention and Propriety
Mrs. Bowen's concern about the veglione and her warning to Imogene highlight the importance of propriety.
Self-Deception and Illusion
Colville realizes he has deceived himself about his motives, and Imogene's romantic notions are challenged.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Colville
Reflects on his behavior, visits Mr. Waters, confronts Mrs. Bowen, and decides to leave Florence.
- Mrs. Bowen
Confronts Colville about Imogene's letter, admits warning Imogene, and refuses to shake hands with Colville.
- Imogene Graham
Writes a letter to Colville taking blame, learns of his departure, and breaks down in tears.
- Rev. Mr. Waters
Visited by Colville; reflects on his past in Haddam East Village and the nature of women's souls.
- Effie Bowen
Returns to the salotto with Imogene after Colville's departure.
Key passages
“Colville had not done what he meant in going to Mrs. Bowen’s; in fact, he had done just what he had not meant to do, as he distinctly perceived in coming away.”
Colville realized that his visit to Mrs. Bowen had the opposite effect of what he intended.
Colville's self-awareness of his failed intentions.
“He could not help seeing that throughout the whole Carnival adventure she had yielded her cherished reluctances to please him, to show him that she was not stiff or prudish, to convince him that she would not be a killjoy through her devotion to conventionalities which she thought he despised.”
Colville understood that Mrs. Bowen had set aside her own reservations during the Carnival to avoid seeming rigid or disapproving.
Colville's recognition of Mrs. Bowen's sacrifices.
“He strolled along down the Arno, feeling flat and mean, as a man always does after a contest with a woman in which he has got the victory; our sex can preserve its self-respect only through defeat in such a case.”
Colville felt deflated and petty after winning an argument with Mrs. Bowen, believing that men can only maintain dignity by losing such conflicts.
Colville's reflection on gender dynamics in conflict.
“I didn’t know she had been writing to you, but I know that you are talking of Imogene. She told me what she had said to you yesterday, and I blamed her for it, but I’m not sure that it wasn’t best.”
Mrs. Bowen admitted she knew about Imogene's conversation with Colville and, while she criticized Imogene, she thought it might have been for the best.
Mrs. Bowen's conflicted stance on Imogene's actions.
“I am in her mother’s place here”
Mrs. Bowen asserted her role as Imogene's guardian.
Mrs. Bowen's justification for her intervention.
“I see that everything is at an end. I am going away from Florence. Goodbye, Mrs. Bowen.”
Colville concluded that the situation was irreparable and announced his departure from Florence.
Colville's decision to leave.
