Memoirs of a Midget · Chapter
XLI explained
The narrator, after a tense encounter with Fanny over a torn letter from Mr.
What happens
The narrator, after a tense encounter with Fanny over a torn letter from Mr. Anon, performs at a luncheon hosted by Mrs. Monnerie, where she is observed by Lord Chiltern and others. Later, she destroys the letter, visits a church, and reflects on her smallness and mortality.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
The narrator deceives Fanny about the letter, and later deceives herself about her motives for leaving it behind.
Performance and Being on Show
The narrator performs at Mrs. Monnerie's luncheon, and Lord Chiltern comments on her as an 'exquisite little performance'.
Mortality and Memory
The narrator visits a church, reads an epitaph for Jenetta Parker, and reflects on her own smallness and the brevity of life.
Characters to notice
- Unknown (Narrator)
The narrator is humiliated and defiant, performs at luncheon, destroys Mr. Anon's letter, and visits a church to reflect.
- Fanny Bowater
Fanny confronts the narrator about the letter addressed to her, accusing her of suspicion and spying.
- Mrs. Monnerie
Mrs. Monnerie hosts the luncheon and praises the narrator's performance, calling her a 'friendly and docile little creature'.
- Lord Chiltern
Lord Chiltern observes the narrator at luncheon, noting her penetrating eyes and comparing her to Willie Arbuthnot.
- Adam Waggett
Adam Waggett is present at the luncheon; the narrator recalls his hand that held a wren and feels sick at heart.
- Mr. Anon
Mr. Anon's letter is torn up by the narrator and addressed to Fanny, leading to a confrontation.
Key passages
“It was merely my old problem of the Social Layers over again.”
The narrator recognizes her contempt for the marble Venus as a manifestation of her ongoing struggle with social hierarchy.
The narrator reflects on her tendency to judge based on class.
“Listeners seldom hear such good things of themselves. Why, then, was it so furious an eavesdropper that hastened away with a face and gesture worthy of a Sarah Siddons!”
Despite overhearing praise, the narrator reacts with anger rather than pleasure.
The narrator's fury contrasts with the compliments she overhears.
“It was as if the past were surrounded with a great wall; and the future clear and hard as glass.”
The narrator feels the past is inaccessible while the future appears stark and unyielding.
The narrator's sense of isolation and clarity about her future.