Kipps · Chapter
IX: The Labyrinthodon explained
Kipps and Ann flee to London to Sid's house, announcing their intention to marry.
What happens
Kipps and Ann flee to London to Sid's house, announcing their intention to marry. Masterman approves, criticizing the futility of social climbing. They spend days before the wedding on excursions, and Kipps compares Chester Coote to a Labyrinthodon statue. They discuss their future simple life, rejecting pretension and socialism, and eventually marry with the blessing of the goddess of wedded love.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Mobility
Masterman argues that social climbing is futile, a 'squirrel's cage,' and Kipps chooses to marry his equal rather than pursue higher status.
Love and Marriage
Kipps and Ann decide to marry based on mutual affection and equality, rejecting the pretensions of higher society.
The Search for Happiness
Kipps and Ann envision a simple, sensible life together, finding happiness in domesticity and mutual care.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Kipps
Flees to London with Ann, announces marriage, discusses future life with Ann, compares Coote to Labyrinthodon.
- Ann Pornick
Flees with Kipps to London, agrees to marry, discusses household plans and rejects pretension.
- Sid Pornick
Hosts Kipps and Ann in London, smiles delightedly at their marriage announcement.
- Masterman
Approves of Kipps' decision to marry Ann, criticizes social climbing, toasts to Hope.
- Chester Coote
Compared to the Labyrinthodon statue by Kipps.
Key passages
“You were starting a climb, that doesn't lead anywhere. You would have clambered from one refinement of vulgarity to another and never got to any satisfactory top. There isn't a top. It's a squirrel's cage.”
Masterman tells Kipps that social climbing is pointless, leading only to more vulgarity without any real achievement.
Masterman's critique of social mobility as an endless, meaningless pursuit.
“You're going to marry your equal, and you're going to take your own line, quite independently of what people up there, or people down there, think you ought or ought not to do.”
Masterman approves of Kipps marrying Ann, emphasizing independence from social expectations.
Masterman endorses Kipps' choice to marry for love and equality.
“We'll jest 'ave a sensible little 'ouse, and sensible things. No art or anything of that sort, nothing stuck-up or anything, but jest sensible.”
Kipps describes their future home as modest and practical, avoiding pretension.
Kipps and Ann plan a simple life free from social pretensions.