Mary, Mary · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Mary spends her first day's wages on delicacies to tempt her mother's appetite.
What happens
Mary spends her first day's wages on delicacies to tempt her mother's appetite. Mrs. Makebelieve, recovering from illness, shares a dream about her brother Patrick returning from America wealthy and unmarried, sparking fantasies of moving to a better part of Dublin. The idyllic morning is cut short when a neighbor's noise reminds Mrs. Makebelieve of work, and she hurriedly dresses and leaves.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Survival
Mary's careful spending of her wages on food and Mrs. Makebelieve's insistence on working despite illness highlight the family's struggle to survive.
Fantasy vs. Reality
Mrs. Makebelieve's dream of her brother's return and the ensuing fantasies of a wealthy life contrast sharply with the harsh reality of their poverty.
Mother-Daughter Relationship
The tender scene of Mary feeding her mother and their shared joy over the food and dreams underscores their close bond.
Characters to notice
- Mary Makebelieve
Lavishes her wages on food for her mother, watches her mother eat with delight, and discusses dreams with her.
- Mrs. Makebelieve
Recovers from illness after a restorative sleep and a dream about her brother Patrick; fantasizes about a better life and insists on returning to work.
Key passages
“Mary had lavished the entire of her first day’s wages on delicate foods wherewith to tempt her mother’s languid appetite”
Mary spent all of her first day's earnings on fancy foods to try to stimulate her mother's weak appetite.
Illustrates Mary's devotion and the family's financial strain.
“When my brother comes home from America... we’ll go away from this part of the city at once.”
Mrs. Makebelieve dreams that her brother's return from America will allow them to move to a wealthier neighborhood.
Highlights the theme of fantasy vs. reality and social aspiration.