# XLI explained — Memoirs of a Midget

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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