Martin Eden · Chapter
XLIII explained
Martin's book 'The Shame of the Sun' is published to great success, but he feels emotionally detached.
What happens
Martin's book 'The Shame of the Sun' is published to great success, but he feels emotionally detached. He gives a copy to Maria Silva. The book sparks a major philosophical controversy, sells tens of thousands of copies, and brings fame and money. Martin is puzzled by the sudden respect from the bourgeoisie, like Judge Blount, who now invite him to dinner. He sells previously rejected essays at high prices, but refuses to write new material. He also publishes an early, poor tragedy, which causes a scandal. Despite his popularity, Martin feels disconnected and disillusioned.
Themes in this chapter
Success and Disillusionment
Martin achieves fame and wealth but feels only sadness and coldness, contrasting his earlier dreams with his present uncaring state.
Individualism and Alienation
Martin becomes increasingly isolated despite public acclaim; he feels disconnected from the bourgeoisie and even from Lizzie, and his popularity feels like a betrayal of Brissenden.
Characters to notice
- Martin Eden
Feels sadness and coldness upon the publication of his first book; becomes famous and wealthy but remains emotionally detached; puzzled by the bourgeoisie's sudden respect; refuses to write new material.
- Maria Silva
Receives a complimentary copy of 'The Shame of the Sun' from Martin; places it on top of the family Bible as a sacred fetish.
- Lizzie Connolly
Regrets Martin's greatness as it widens the space between them; yields to his persuasions to attend night school and business college and improve her appearance.
- Judge Blount
Invites Martin to dinner after previously snubbing him; urges Martin to join the Styx club, but Martin declines.
- Russ Brissenden
Martin feels his popularity is a disgrace and treason to Brissenden, who was torn to pieces by the crowd.
Key passages
“The Shame of the Sun was published in October. As Martin cut the cords of the express package and the half-dozen complimentary copies from the publishers spilled out on the table, a heavy sadness fell upon him.”
When Martin's first book was released, he felt a deep sadness instead of joy.
Martin's emotional detachment from his long-awaited success.
“He carried a copy out into the kitchen and presented it to Maria. 'I did it,' he explained, in order to clear up her bewilderment. 'I wrote it in the room there, and I guess some few quarts of your vegetable soup went into the making of it. Keep it. It’s yours. Just to remember me by, you know.'”
Martin gave Maria a copy of his book, crediting her soup for helping him write it, and asked her to keep it as a memento.
Martin's gesture of gratitude toward Maria, showing his appreciation for her support.
“He had insulted Judge Blount, treated him abominably, and Judge Blount, meeting him on the street, invited him to dinner. Martin bethought himself of the numerous occasions on which he had met Judge Blount at the Morses’ and when Judge Blount had not invited him to dinner. Why had he not invited him to dinner then? he asked himself. He had not changed. He was the same Martin Eden. What made the difference?”
Martin was puzzled that Judge Blount, whom he had insulted, now invited him to dinner, whereas before when they met at the Morses' he was never invited—Martin realized he hadn't changed, only his fame had.
Martin's growing awareness of the superficiality of social recognition based on fame rather than personal worth.