# LI explained — Lavengro

> Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow.

## What happens

The narrator, reduced to a half-crown, resolves to accept the Armenian's offer to translate the Haik Esop or learn Armenian commerce. He visits the Armenian's counting-room, only to receive a letter revealing that the Armenian has departed for Persia to attack the Persians, inspired by the narrator's own words. The narrator is left stunned and destitute, his last hope gone.

## Themes in this chapter

### Philology and Learning

The narrator contemplates translating the Haik Esop, an Armenian version of Aesop's fables, highlighting linguistic and literary scholarship.

### Adventure and Roving

The Armenian's sudden departure for Persia embodies a spirit of adventure and roving, spurred by the narrator's words.

## Character check-ins

### Lavengro

Desperate and destitute, resolves to accept the Armenian's offer, then is devastated by the Armenian's departure.

### The Armenian

Departs for Persia to attack the Persians, leaving a letter explaining his journey.

### The Master of the House

Referred to as the Armenian, the master of the counting-room.

## Key lines

> I had determined that I could do no better than accept the first proposal of the Armenian, and translate, under his superintendence, the Haik Esop into English.

I decided my best option was to accept the Armenian's original offer to translate the Haik Esop under his guidance.

_The narrator's pragmatic choice driven by poverty._

> The words which you uttered in our last conversation have made a profound impression upon me; I have thought them over day and night, and have come to the conclusion that it is my bounden duty to attack the Persians.

Your words from our last talk have deeply affected me, and after much reflection I believe I must attack the Persians.

_The Armenian's letter reveals the narrator's unintended influence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/li
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters