# XXVII explained — Look Homeward, Angel

> Chapter companion for Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/look_homeward_angel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/look_homeward_angel_se/chapters