XXXIX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Truth, Deception, and Moral Ambiguity

  Hannah lies to protect Ethel's happiness, claiming her past is worse than it is, while Ethel struggles with the truth about Mr. Pilgrim and Hannah's secret.

• Loneliness and the Search for Connection

  Hannah feels old and deserted; her desire to speak to Mr. Blenkinsop before leaving underscores her isolation and need for human connection.

• Gender Roles and Female Agency

  Ethel seeks comfort from Mrs. Spenser-Smith but is rebuffed; Hannah makes a decisive choice to leave, asserting agency despite her precarious position.

Characters to notice

• Miss Hannah Mole

  Sacrifices her reputation to protect Ethel's happiness; decides to leave the Corder household; writes to Uncle Jim; wanders the streets in despair.

• Ethel Corder

  Distraught after visiting Mrs. Spenser-Smith; confronts Hannah about Mr. Pilgrim's accusations; learns Hannah's secret and insists on telling her father.

• Ruth

  Enjoys an excursion with Wilfrid to the pantomime; unaware of the household tensions; receives Hannah's ship model as a parting gift.

• Wilfrid

  Takes Ruth on a surprise outing to the pantomime; helps conceal the plan from Robert Corder.

• Robert Corder

  Remains aloof and disapproving; his strict views on theatre and distrust of Wilfrid create tension; Ethel plans to tell him about Hannah's secret.

• Mr. Pilgrim

  Accused by Mrs. Spenser-Smith of being untruthful; Ethel defends him; Hannah doubts his worthiness but protects his reputation for Ethel's sake.

Key passages

• “She fell into that daytime sleep which, for the exhausted, can be profounder than any that comes at night, and she sank into it as though she floated on subsiding water, without consciousness of the drop, and, accompanying the descent, there was the promise of an oblivion which came upon her before she had had her fill of waiting for it.”

  Hannah fell into a deep daytime sleep, more profound than nighttime rest, sinking into it like floating on calm water, with a promise of oblivion that arrived before she was ready.

  Illustrates Hannah's exhaustion and desire to escape her troubles.

• “The spring had run dry and, as though she went in search of another, she hurried up the street in a drizzling rain and followed the route she and Mr. Blenkinsop had taken when they had walked together at night and found nothing to say to one another.”

  Her hope had vanished, and she rushed through the drizzle along the same path she had walked with Mr. Blenkinsop in silence.

  Symbolizes Hannah's loss of hope and longing for connection.