# XX explained — Memoirs of a Midget

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

## What happens

The narrator delivers Fanny's message to Mr. Crimble, who reacts with overwhelming emotion. Later, the narrator reflects on love, deception, and the complexities of human relationships, sharing an evening with Mrs. Bowater and pondering life's riddles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The narrator amends Fanny's message to Mr. Crimble, leading to a web of deceit and self-reflection on truth and falsehood.

### Love and Obsession

Mr. Crimble's intense, almost obsessive love for Fanny is evident in his letter and reactions; the narrator also grapples with her own feelings for Fanny.

### Solitude and Self-Discovery

The narrator retreats into solitude to ponder life's riddles, love, and her own identity, finding clarity in quiet reflection.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown (Narrator)

Delivers Fanny's message to Mr. Crimble, reflects on love and deception, and shares an evening with Mrs. Bowater.

### Mr. Crimble

Receives the narrator's message from Fanny, reacts with despair and hope, and later drinks tea with the narrator.

### Fanny Bowater

Her letter and message to Mr. Crimble are central; the narrator reflects on her motives and actions.

### Mrs. Bowater

Reads Fanny's letter, shares a quiet evening with the narrator, and offers wisdom about pretense and the world.

### Miss M.

The narrator is addressed as Miss M. in Mr. Crimble's letter; she is the recipient of his confidences.

### Adam Waggett

Mentioned in a memory of playing with a toy bow as a noisy little boy.

## Key lines

> I had given my message, but never for an instant had I anticipated it would have so overwhelming an effect.

The narrator is surprised by the intensity of Mr. Crimble's reaction to Fanny's message.

_Highlights the unintended consequences of the narrator's actions._

> We must make the best use of the mess we can.

Mrs. Bowater advises that people must cope with life's chaos as best they can.

_Reflects a theme of pragmatic acceptance in the face of disorder._

> I could think now, as well as adore.

The narrator gains the ability to reason about Fanny rather than simply worship her.

_Marks a shift in the narrator's emotional maturity._

## Links

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