# IV explained — Mary, Mary

> Chapter companion for Mary, Mary by James Stephens.

## What happens

Mary Makebelieve becomes fascinated by a massive policeman who directs traffic at the intersection of Grafton Street. She secretly watches him daily, and one day their eyes meet, leaving her mesmerized and frightened. That night, she avoids going home by Grafton Street and lies to her mother about being tired, unable to sleep as she lies in the dark.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fantasy vs. Reality

Mary's romanticized view of the policeman contrasts with the mundane reality of his job. Her mother's sleep dreams also highlight the gap between desire and actual life.

### Coming of Age and Sexuality

Mary's fascination with the policeman's powerful body and her mesmerized reaction to his gaze suggest emerging sexual awareness and the thrill of being noticed.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Makebelieve

Mary is captivated by the policeman, secretly watching him each day. After their eyes meet, she feels a frightened exaltation and avoids Grafton Street, lying to her mother about her thoughts.

### Mrs. Makebelieve

Mary's mother is tired but talkative, offering imaginary pennies for Mary's thoughts. In bed, she dreams fiercely of things she lacks in reality.

## Key lines

> One day her shy, creeping glance was caught by his; it held her mesmerised for a few seconds; it looked down into her⁠—for a moment the whole world seemed to have become one immense eye⁠—she could scarcely get away from it.

When their eyes met, Mary felt trapped and overwhelmed, as if the entire world had turned into a single, all-seeing eye.

_This moment marks the first direct eye contact between Mary and the policeman, intensifying her fascination and fear._

> She did not go home that night by Grafton Street⁠—she did not dare venture within reach of that powerful organism⁠—but went a long way round, and still the way seemed very short.

Mary avoided Grafton Street on her way home, afraid to encounter the policeman again, yet the longer route felt brief.

_Mary's fear of the policeman's 'powerful organism' shows his overwhelming presence in her mind._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mary_mary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters