Look Homeward, Angel · Chapter
XXVII explained
Helen Gant marries Hugh Barton, a wealthy and eccentric businessman, at Dixieland.
What happens
Helen Gant marries Hugh Barton, a wealthy and eccentric businessman, at Dixieland. The wedding is a grand affair, but the honeymoon is delayed when Hugh's mother falls violently ill. Meanwhile, Eugene wins a Shakespeare essay contest and participates in a school pageant as Prince Hal, enduring ridicule over his costume.
Themes in this chapter
Family Conflict and Dysfunction
Helen's bitter arguments with Eliza over boardinghouse guests and her frustration with her mother-in-law's illness highlight family tensions.
The American Dream and Materialism
Hugh Barton's wealth, car, and 'psychology' reflect material success; the wedding's lavishness underscores social aspirations.
Art, Ambition, and the Artistic Temperament
Eugene's Shakespeare essay and pageant participation reveal his artistic ambitions, though they are met with mockery.
Characters to notice
- Helen Gant
Marries Hugh Barton; shows hysteria and bitterness over her mother's boardinghouse guests and later over her thwarted honeymoon.
- Hugh Barton
Arrives in a Buick roadster, impresses the Gants with his lordly demeanor and 'psychology'; marries Helen.
- Eliza Gant
Hosts the wedding at Dixieland; weeps with Helen after the ceremony; laughs at Helen's complaints about Mrs. Barton's illness.
- Eugene Gant
Wins a Shakespeare medal; participates in the pageant as Prince Hal, wearing an ill-fitting costume; teased by Ben and Helen as 'My Shakespeare'.
- Ben Gant
Attends the wedding; teases Eugene about the Shakespeare scrawl; arranges the wedding suite at Battery Hill.
- Luke Gant
Greets Hugh Barton with enthusiasm; comments on advertising and psychology.
- Oliver Gant
Says little about Helen's engagement; helps determine that Eugene will attend State University.
- John Dorsey Leonard
Directs Eugene to put on the Prince Hal costume; laughs at its fit.
Key passages
“My Shakespeare, rise!”
Eugene writes 'My Shakespeare, rise!' under a portrait of Shakespeare, which becomes a family joke.
Eugene's literary enthusiasm is mocked by Ben and Helen.
“A son is a son till he gets him a wife, But a daughter's a daughter all the days of her life.”
Eliza repeats a proverb about daughters remaining close to their mothers after marriage.
Reflects Eliza's emotional attachment to Helen.
“Psychology. It makes 'em talk.”
Hugh Barton explains his large hat as a psychological tool to attract attention.
Highlights Barton's calculated self-presentation.