Mr. Mulliner Stories · Chapter
The Story of William explained
William Mulliner competes with the adventurous Desmond Franklyn for the affections of Myrtle Banks.
What happens
William Mulliner competes with the adventurous Desmond Franklyn for the affections of Myrtle Banks. Despite his attempts to prove his steadiness and reliability, Myrtle is captivated by Franklyn's tales of derring-do and accepts his marriage proposal. Heartbroken, William gets drunk for the first time, is thrown out of a saloon, and falls asleep against railings. He wakes to witness a domestic scene that intensifies his longing for a home. Returning to his hotel, he experiences hallucinations and fears the Mulliner family curse. The next morning, he discovers that a real earthquake has destroyed his room, and Myrtle is impressed by his apparent fearlessness during the disaster.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
William's romantic pursuit of Myrtle and his rivalry with Franklyn drive the plot, culminating in Myrtle's engagement.
Appearance vs. Reality
Franklyn's exaggerated stories of bravery contrast with William's genuine but unglamorous steadiness; William's drunken hallucinations are mistaken for courage during the earthquake.
Absurdity of Modern Life
The comedic chaos of William's drunken night, the earthquake's destruction, and the ironic reversal of perceptions highlight life's absurdities.
Characters to notice
- William Mulliner
Protagonist; heartbroken after Myrtle rejects him; gets drunk for the first time and suffers hallucinations; survives the earthquake.
- Myrtle Banks
Object of William's affection; engaged to Desmond Franklyn; impressed by William's calm during the earthquake.
- Desmond Franklyn
Rival for Myrtle's love; tells tall tales of adventure and wins her hand.
Key passages
“There is a great glamour about Mr. Franklyn. We women admire men who do things. A girl cannot help but respect a man who once killed three sharks with a Boy Scout pocketknife.”
Myrtle is impressed by Franklyn's adventurous stories, valuing his supposed heroism.
Highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality and Myrtle's attraction to exaggerated tales.
“The man who under test conditions has carried an egg once and a half times round a deck in a small spoon is a man who can be trusted.”
William argues that his egg-and-spoon race victory demonstrates the reliability needed in a husband.
Shows William's attempt to prove his worth through mundane achievements.
“When I heard this story, like Desdemona, I loved him for the dangers he had passed, and he loved me that I did pity them.”
Myrtle compares herself to Desdemona, saying Franklyn's tales of danger made her fall in love with him.
Literary allusion emphasizing Myrtle's romanticization of adventure.
“What, argued William, clinging to the railings and crying weakly, could compare, when you came right down to it, with a little home?”
William, drunk and emotional, laments that he will never have a home with Myrtle.
Reveals William's deep desire for domestic stability.
“One little moderately festive evening at Mike's Place, and the Curse of the Mulliners had got him.”
William believes his first drink has triggered a family curse, causing hallucinations.
Comedic exaggeration of the Mulliner family lore.