# XXXIV: But Absent Friends Are Soon Forgot explained — My Brilliant Career

> Chapter companion for My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin.

## What happens

Sybylla receives letters from Caddagat revealing that Gertie has become a favorite of Uncle Julius and that Harold Beecham has regained his fortune and repurchased Five-Bob Downs. Harold writes to Sybylla, expecting to marry her, but she dismisses him in a letter, feeling relief and freedom. He accepts her decision, and Sybylla experiences a sense of loss. Gertie's subsequent letters show Harold's growing interest in her, while Sybylla also mourns the departure of her brother Horace, who leaves to work with their uncle George Melvyn.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Sybylla rejects Harold's proposal despite his restored wealth, reflecting her lack of wifely love and the transactional nature of marriage expectations.

### Ambition and Discontent

Sybylla feels relief at Harold's fortune freeing her from obligation, yet experiences loss and discontent with her own life's emptiness.

### Appearance and Self-Worth

Sybylla contrasts herself with Gertie's beauty, feeling that love is for the winsome and not for her, highlighting her low self-worth.

## Character check-ins

### Sybylla Penelope Melvyn

Reflects on being forgotten at Caddagat, dismisses Harold's proposal, and feels loss after his acceptance.

### Harold Beecham

Regains his fortune and repurchases Five-Bob Downs; writes to Sybylla to claim her but accepts her dismissal.

### Gertie

Writes letters showing she is becoming close to Harold, who calls her 'Harry' and gives her gifts.

### Grannie

Writes letters about Gertie's good looks and Harold's interest in her.

### Aunt Helen

Writes to Sybylla's mother, noting Harold's frequent visits and his potential interest in Gertie.

### Horace

Leaves home to work with his uncle George Melvyn, causing Sybylla to feel his loss.

### Everard Grey

Mentioned as having returned from Hong Kong and America, giving gifts to Gertie instead of Sybylla.

### George Melvyn

Offers to take Horace on his station, leading to Horace's departure.

## Key lines

> I think I was not fully aware of the extent of my lack of wifely love for Harold Beecham, until experiencing the sense of relief which stole over me on holding in my hand the announcement of his return to the smile of fortune.

Sybylla realizes she never truly loved Harold when she feels relieved upon learning he is rich again.

_Highlights her emotional detachment and the freedom she feels from the obligation to marry him._

> I think I was not fully aware how near I had been to loving Harold Beecham until experiencing the sense of loss which stole over me on holding in my hand the acceptance of his dismissal.

Sybylla only realizes she might have loved Harold after he accepts her rejection, leaving her with a feeling of emptiness.

_Shows her conflicting emotions and the irony of recognizing love only after it is lost._

> Our greatest heart-treasure is a knowledge that there is in creation an individual to whom our existence is necessary—someone who is part of our life as we are part of theirs, someone in whose life we feel assured our death would leave a gap for a day or two.

Sybylla reflects that the most valuable thing in life is knowing someone needs you, which she has now thrown away.

_Reveals her deep longing for connection and the significance of marriage as a source of belonging._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters/xxxiv-but-absent-friends-are-soon-forgot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_brilliant_career_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_brilliant_career_se/chapters