# LXXXIX explained — Lavengro

> Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow.

## What happens

Lavengro returns to the dingle after visiting the public-house, where he drank ale as Belle advised. They discuss his encounter with the radical and the priest, and Belle expresses her admiration for America. To ease their silences, Lavengro proposes teaching Belle Armenian, beginning with the numerals. Their lesson is interrupted when the man in black from the public-house appears in the dingle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Philology and Learning

Lavengro proposes teaching Belle Armenian as a way to pass the time and preserve his own knowledge of the language.

### Freedom vs. Convention

Belle expresses a desire to go to America for freedom and opportunity, contrasting with Lavengro's disdain for the country.

## Character check-ins

### Lavengro

Returns to the dingle, discusses his public-house visit, and proposes teaching Belle Armenian.

### Belle

Has prepared a tent and tea; expresses curiosity about Lavengro's visit and admiration for America; agrees to learn Armenian.

### The Landlord

Mentioned as the big portly landlord at the public-house.

### The Stranger

The man in black from the public-house, who appears in the dingle at the end of the chapter.

## Key lines

> Ale, give them ale, and let it be strong.

The surgeon recommended strong ale to cure hysterics and fearful imaginings.

_Belle recalls the surgeon's advice for treating afflicted women._

> Everything in its season.

There is a proper time for everything, including tea and ale.

_Lavengro and Belle agree on the appropriateness of tea after feeling heated._

> I have heard my father say that the American marksmen, led on by a chap of the name of Washington, sent the English to the right-about in double-quick time.

Lavengro's father told him that American sharpshooters under Washington quickly routed the English.

_Lavengro explains his dislike of Americans based on their military success against the English._

## Links

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