Martin Eden · Chapter
XXXII explained
Brissenden visits Martin, bringing a book of poetry and whiskey.
What happens
Brissenden visits Martin, bringing a book of poetry and whiskey. They discuss the impossibility of making a living from poetry, the degradation of critics, and Martin's love for Ruth. Brissenden advises Martin to abandon the bourgeois world and return to the sea, but Martin insists his writing is for love. Their friendship deepens as they share and critique each other's work.
Themes in this chapter
Art vs. Commerce
Brissenden argues that beauty should be served for its own sake, not for magazine publication or profit, while Martin struggles with the desire to sell his work.
Love and Idealism
Martin insists his writing is motivated by love for Ruth, clashing with Brissenden's cynical view of bourgeois romance.
Individualism and Alienation
Brissenden's solitary, dying existence and his advice to Martin to reject society highlight the theme of alienation from conventional life.
Characters to notice
- Martin Eden
Defends his love for Ruth and his writing; shares his poetry with Brissenden.
- Russ Brissenden
Visits Martin, brings whiskey and a book; criticizes bourgeois society and advises Martin to abandon magazines for beauty.
- Maria Silva
Excited by Brissenden's visit, seats him in her parlor.
- Ruth Morse
Mentioned as the one who gave Brissenden Martin's address over the phone.
Key passages
“Love Beauty for its own sake, and leave the magazines alone. Back to your ships and your sea—that's my advice to you, Martin Eden.”
Brissenden tells Martin to pursue art purely for beauty, ignore commercial publishing, and return to his life at sea.
Brissenden's core advice to Martin, emphasizing art over commerce.
“It is not in what you succeed in doing that you get your joy, but in the doing of it.”
Brissenden asserts that the joy of creation comes from the act itself, not from external success.
Reflects the theme of art for its own sake.
“What under heaven do you want with a daughter of the bourgeoisie? Leave them alone. Pick out some great, wanton flame of a woman, who laughs at life and jeers at death and loves one while she may.”
Brissenden criticizes Martin's love for Ruth, urging him to seek a more passionate, free-spirited woman instead.
Highlights the conflict between Martin's idealistic love and Brissenden's cynical view of bourgeois romance.