National Avenue · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
Harlan returns home from visiting Mrs.
What happens
Harlan returns home from visiting Mrs. Savage, and his mother expresses anxiety about Dan, who has gone out celebrating the birth of his son. She suspects Dan may have gone to Martha Shelby's house, and asks Harlan to intervene to prevent Dan from making a fool of himself before Martha, who holds him in high regard.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Alienation
Lena's potential fury at Dan visiting Martha highlights marital tensions and the alienation between spouses.
Ambition and Failure
Harlan's unrequited love for Martha and his view of Dan's foolishness reflect themes of personal ambition and emotional failure.
Home and Belonging
The domestic setting and Mrs. Oliphant's concern for Dan's behavior underscore the importance of home and social reputation.
Characters to notice
- Harlan Oliphant
Returns home in the rain, converses with his mother about Dan's whereabouts, and is sent to Martha's house to retrieve Dan.
- Mrs. Oliphant
Anxious about Dan's celebration, she asks Harlan to go to Martha's to prevent Dan from embarrassing himself.
- Dan Oliphant
Absent from home, presumed to be celebrating the birth of his son; possibly at Martha Shelby's house.
- Martha Shelby
Her house is lit up with callers; she is the object of Harlan's unrequited affection and holds Dan in high regard.
- Lena McMillan
Recovering after childbirth; her potential reaction to Dan's visit to Martha is a concern.
- Fred Oliphant
Possibly the companion with Dan at the gate, as Mrs. Oliphant thought she recognized his voice.
Key passages
“devotion to Dan was able to disperse Harlan’s feeling for her, which gradually became a kind of customary faint pain.”
Harlan's love for Martha became a dull, habitual ache because her devotion to Dan never wavered.
Describes Harlan's long-standing unrequited feelings for Martha.
“what sometimes drove him to utter a burst of stung laughter was the thought that she had given her heart to a man who did not even perceive the gift.”
Harlan found it bitterly ironic that Martha loved Dan, who was oblivious to her affection.
Highlights Harlan's frustration and Dan's obliviousness.
“I’d be terribly upset to have him make an exhibition of himself before Martha—she’s always had such a high opinion of him.”
Mrs. Oliphant fears Dan will embarrass himself in front of Martha, who respects him greatly.
Shows Mrs. Oliphant's concern for Dan's reputation and Martha's esteem.