# XVIII explained — Memoirs of a Midget

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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