Memoirs of a Midget · Chapter
XVIII explained
The narrator receives a letter from Fanny Bowater, who is being courted by Mr.
What happens
The narrator receives a letter from Fanny Bowater, who is being courted by Mr. Crimble. Fanny asks the narrator to secretly deliver a message to Mr. Crimble, while also sending a decoy letter for her mother. The narrator reads the letters in a secluded garden near Wanderslore, feeling a mix of love, jealousy, and confusion.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
Fanny's two letters—one secret, one for show—highlight the theme of deception. The narrator also deceives herself about her feelings for Fanny.
Love and Obsession
The narrator's intense feelings for Fanny, repeating 'I love you exceedingly,' and her obsessive reading of the letters illustrate this theme.
Solitude and Self-Discovery
The narrator's solitary walk in the garden and her introspective reverie about her emotions and identity reflect this theme.
Characters to notice
- Unknown (Narrator)
The narrator reads Fanny's letters in the garden, reflects on her feelings for Fanny, and hides the secret letter under a stone.
- Fanny Bowater
Fanny writes two letters to the narrator: one secret about Mr. Crimble's proposal and a decoy for her mother. She asks the narrator to deliver a message to Mr. Crimble.
- Mr. Crimble
Mr. Crimble has proposed marriage to Fanny, and she is delaying her answer. The narrator imagines him as dark and uncomfortable.
- Mrs. Bowater
Mrs. Bowater appears at the narrator's door, warning her to be cautious about men. She is also the recipient of Fanny's decoy letter.
- Midgetina
Fanny addresses the narrator as 'Midgetina' in her letters, calling her a 'born intrigante' and asking for her help.
Key passages
“I love you exceedingly—exceedingly”
I love you very much, very much.
The narrator repeats this phrase, unsure if she is addressing Fanny or someone else, showing her emotional confusion.
“Burn this letter, and show the other to M.”
Destroy this letter, and give the other one to my mother.
Fanny instructs the narrator to keep the secret letter hidden and show the decoy letter to Mrs. Bowater.
“I want you to tell him secretly that I have received his letter and that I am giving it my earnest attention”
I need you to inform him privately that I got his letter and am seriously considering it.
Fanny asks the narrator to secretly relay a message to Mr. Crimble about her response to his proposal.