Indian Summer · Chapter
Chapter XXII explained
Colville, missing Effie and Mrs.
What happens
Colville, missing Effie and Mrs. Bowen, receives a visit from Mr. Waters. He confesses his broken engagement with Imogene Graham and his enduring love for Mrs. Bowen, though he believes she loathes him. Mr. Waters offers philosophical counsel on moral responsibility and self-deception, suggesting Colville may be on the verge of a greater wrong if he does not act on his feelings for Mrs. Bowen.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment and Regret
Colville's deep regret over his broken engagement and his self-criticism for his past weakness and cowardice.
Self-Deception and Illusion
Colville's struggle to distinguish conscience from self-interest, and his admission of being flattered by Imogene's illusion.
Love and Marriage
Colville's confession of love for Mrs. Bowen and the moral complexities surrounding his broken engagement and potential new attachment.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Colville
Confesses his love for Mrs. Bowen and his regret over the broken engagement with Imogene Graham; struggles with self-reproach and indecision.
- Rev. Mr. Waters
Visits Colville at his hotel; offers moral and philosophical reflections on conscience, responsibility, and the nature of wrong.
- Mrs. Bowen
Absent from the chapter but central to Colville's confession; he declares his love for her and fears she loathes him.
- Effie Bowen
Mentioned fondly by Colville; her affectionate kiss and winning nature are recalled.
- Imogene Graham
Referenced in Colville's confession about the broken engagement and the pain caused to her.
- Mr. Morton
Mentioned as the young clergyman whom Colville hopes Imogene might appreciate.
Key passages
“The difficulty is to know conscience from self-interest.”
It's hard to tell whether you're acting from moral conviction or personal advantage.
Mr. Waters's observation on the ambiguity of moral motivation.
“In the moral world we are responsible only for the wrong that we intend. It can’t be otherwise.”
We are only morally accountable for the harm we deliberately mean to cause.
Mr. Waters's ethical principle, challenging Colville's self-blame.
“The young suffer terribly. But they recover. Afterward we don’t suffer so much, but we don’t recover.”
Young people feel pain deeply but heal; older people feel less pain but never fully recover.
Mr. Waters's reflection on the different capacities for suffering and recovery across ages.