National Avenue · Chapter
Chapter XV explained
At a family dinner celebrating the baby's arrival, Lena learns from Fred Oliphant that Dan visited Martha Shelby the night Henry Daniel was born and appointed her godmother.
What happens
At a family dinner celebrating the baby's arrival, Lena learns from Fred Oliphant that Dan visited Martha Shelby the night Henry Daniel was born and appointed her godmother. This revelation triggers a confrontation between Lena and Dan, exposing deep marital tensions and Lena's growing discontent.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Alienation
Lena's confrontation with Dan reveals the deep alienation in their marriage, as Dan's secrecy and Lena's discontent come to a head.
Gender and Power
Lena's lack of agency in decisions like the godmother selection highlights the power imbalance in her marriage.
Social Class and Family
The family dinner and Dan's boasting about Ornaby Addition reflect the family's social aspirations and the importance of lineage.
Characters to notice
- Lena McMillan
Lena learns of Dan's secret visit to Martha and confronts him, revealing her deep unhappiness and threatening to leave.
- Dan Oliphant
Dan is jubilant as a new father but is blindsided by Lena's anger over his visit to Martha, showing his obliviousness to her feelings.
- Fred Oliphant
Fred's playful teasing about Dan's visit to Martha inadvertently triggers the marital crisis.
- Martha Shelby
Martha is mentioned as the neighbor Dan visited and appointed as godmother, though she does not appear in the chapter.
- Mrs. Oliphant
Mrs. Oliphant hosts the family dinner and is part of the family circle, though she is unaware of the brewing conflict.
Key passages
“It’s a great thing to be the only father in the world,” he said. “I suppose it’s even greater than being an earl.””
Fred jokingly suggests that being a father is more impressive than being an earl, referencing Dan's self-importance.
Fred's teasing about Dan's 'Earl of Ornaby' nickname sets off Lena's suspicions.
“Haven’t you realized yet there’s an enchantress living right next door to you?”
Fred hints that Martha Shelby is the 'enchantress' Dan visited, revealing Dan's secret.
This revelation triggers Lena's anger and the subsequent confrontation.
“I suppose it’s generally considered quite a turning point when a wife leaves her husband for just cause, isn’t it?”
Lena threatens to leave Dan, indicating that his actions have given her legitimate grounds for separation.
Lena's threat marks a critical escalation in their marital conflict.