# LII explained — Memoirs of a Midget

> Chapter companion for Memoirs of a Midget by Walter de la Mare.

## What happens

At the final private viewing, the narrator, disguised as a grotesque figure in a circus booth, confronts Mrs. Monnerie and Fanny. After a tense psychological struggle, the performance ends, and the narrator's companion takes his turn in the ring, only to be met with mockery and injury. The chapter closes with the narrator helping him escape the crowd.

## Themes in this chapter

### Performance and Being on Show

The narrator's disguise and performance in the booth highlight the theme of being on display, with the audience's reactions ranging from disgust to curiosity.

### Deception and Self-Deception

The narrator's disguise and the psychological struggle with Fanny and Mrs. Monnerie underscore the theme of deception, both of others and of oneself.

### Solitude and Self-Discovery

After the performance, the narrator experiences a profound solitude and self-reflection, contemplating the nature of their existence and the futility of the charade.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown (Narrator)

The narrator is disguised in black and yellow, performing as a freak in the booth, and experiences a profound sense of desolation and self-loathing.

### Mrs. Monnerie

Mrs. Monnerie visits the booth, expresses disgust at the narrator's disguise, and leaves angrily after a tense exchange.

### Fanny Bowater

Fanny slips back into the tent to watch the narrator, and the two share a moment of silent recognition before the narrator turns away.

### Mr. Anon

Mr. Anon is the companion who performs in the ring after the narrator; he is injured and disgusted by the ordeal, and the narrator helps him escape.

### Signorina Donna Angélique

The Signorina is the gipsy woman who manages the booth, assists with the performance, and later helps with the escape.

### Mr. Padgwick - Steggall

Mr. Padgwick-Steggall is present with Mrs. Monnerie, commenting on the scene.

## Key lines

> It seemed, as I looked at her, that myself had fainted⁠—had withdrawn out of my body⁠—like the spirit in sleep.

I felt as if I had left my own body, watching myself from a distance, like a spirit in a dream.

_The narrator describes a dissociative experience during the confrontation with Fanny._

> Out of time and place, in a lightless, vacant solitude, we wrestled for mastery.

In a timeless, dark emptiness, we fought for control.

_The narrator and Fanny engage in a silent psychological battle._

> A vast, protracted, unanimous bawl poured up into space, a spout of sound, like a gigantic, invisible flower.

A huge, sustained, collective shout rose into the air, like a fountain of noise, resembling an enormous invisible flower.

_The crowd's reaction to Mr. Anon's performance is described as a powerful, unified sound._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/lii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters