# Chapter X explained — Mary, Mary

> Chapter companion for Mary, Mary by James Stephens.

## What happens

Mary Makebelieve meets a policeman in Phoenix Park, who impresses her with his knowledge and size. She feels shy and self-conscious, especially about her short dress, and struggles to speak. He escorts her through the park, and she eventually bids him goodbye, feeling both awed and distressed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Coming of Age and Sexuality

Mary's encounter with the policeman highlights her awakening to adult social dynamics and her discomfort with her own body and attire.

### Social Class and Aspiration

The policeman's learned conversation and Mary's awe reflect class and educational differences, as well as her aspiration to appear proper.

### Appearance and Dress

Mary's distress over her short skirt and false hem underscores her preoccupation with how she is perceived.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Makebelieve

Meets a policeman in the park, feels shy and self-conscious about her appearance and inability to converse.

### The Man

A large policeman who converses with Mary, explaining various facts about the park and displaying his knowledge.

## Key lines

> She wished frantically that her dress was longer than it was—that false hem!

Mary desperately wanted her dress to be longer, regretting the fake hem that made it seem shorter.

_Mary's anxiety about her appearance and modesty in front of the policeman._

> He interpreted it rightly as the natural homage of a girl to a policeman.

He correctly understood her silence as the proper respect a girl should show to a policeman.

_The policeman's condescending view of Mary's shyness._

> The specific gravity of that hand seemed tremendous; she could imagine it holding down the strong neck of a bull.

His hand appeared incredibly heavy and powerful, as if it could restrain a bull.

_Mary's awe at the policeman's physical size and strength._

## Links

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