# III explained — Lolly Willowes

> Chapter companion for Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner.

## What happens

Laura reflects on her lifelong vocation as a witch, realizing that her solitary walks, herb-gathering, and distillations were early signs of her true nature. She feels that Satan has been hunting her since her arrival at Great Mop, drawing ever closer. Titus visits to borrow milk, and Laura later delivers a passionate speech to the Devil about the dull lives of women and how witchcraft offers them a sense of power and reality. At the Sabbath, Laura feels socially awkward, but finds a moment of ecstatic connection while dancing with Emily.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Autonomy and Independence

Laura's speech to Satan articulates the stifling domestic lives of women and presents witchcraft as a path to self-realization and power.

### Rebellion Against Patriarchy

Laura's embrace of witchcraft is a direct rebellion against the patriarchal structures that confine women to dull, unnoticed lives.

### The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary

Laura contrasts the mundane existence of women with the extraordinary, dangerous potential of witchcraft, which makes them feel 'incalculable' and 'extraordinary.'

## Character check-ins

### Laura Willowes

Realizes her lifelong vocation as a witch and reflects on Satan's pursuit of her.

### Titus

Visits Laura to borrow milk and discusses her afternoon walk.

### Satan

Described as a huntsman and naturalist who has been pursuing Laura; she speaks to him about women and witchcraft.

### Miss Larpent

Appears at the Sabbath and speaks to Laura about her great-uncle.

### Miss Carloe

Seen at the Sabbath, mincing and bridling before disappearing.

### Emma

Dances fervently with Laura at the Sabbath, providing a moment of ecstasy.

## Key lines

> She was a witch by vocation. Even in the old days of Lady Place the impulse had stirred in her.

Laura realizes that she has always been destined to be a witch, with the inclination present even during her time at Lady Place.

_Highlights Laura's self-discovery of her true nature._

> For Satan is not only a huntsman. His interest in mankind is that of a skilful and experienced naturalist.

Satan is portrayed not just as a hunter but as a patient observer of human behavior, akin to a naturalist studying his subjects.

_Characterizes Satan's methodical pursuit of Laura._

> But they know they are dynamite, and long for the concussion that may justify them. Some may get religion, then they're all right, I expect. But for the others, for so many, what can there be but witchcraft?

Women are aware of their own explosive potential and desire a release that validates them; for those who do not find religion, witchcraft becomes the only outlet.

_Central to Laura's feminist critique of women's constrained lives._

> Even as a witch, it seemed, she was doomed to social failure, and her first Sabbath was not going to open livelier vistas than were opened by her first ball.

Laura feels that even in her new witch identity, she remains socially awkward, comparing the Sabbath unfavorably to her past experiences at balls.

_Illustrates Laura's persistent sense of alienation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lolly_willowes_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lolly_willowes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lolly_willowes_se/chapters