# XX explained — National Avenue

> Chapter companion for National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Dan and Lena engage in a tense, silent standoff over Martha's return, revealing the erosion of their marriage. Later, Harlan and Martha discuss Dan's Ornaby Addition and the Renaissance, exposing their unchanged dynamic and Harlan's lingering feelings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Alienation

Dan and Lena's silent vigil reveals their emotional estrangement; Lena concludes they no longer care for each other.

### Change and Loss

Martha returns home only to find everything unchanged, yet she feels like a stranger; Harlan's old pain for her revives.

### Ambition and Failure

Harlan's skepticism about Dan's Ornaby Addition contrasts with the possibility of Dan's success, highlighting themes of ambition and misjudgment.

## Character check-ins

### Dan Oliphant

Sits silently writing letters while Lena watches him, avoiding the topic of Martha's return.

### Lena McMillan

Jealous and hostile, she watches Dan and realizes she no longer loves him, only feels jealousy.

### Harlan Oliphant

Debates the Renaissance with Martha, revealing his skepticism and his revived feelings for her.

### Martha Shelby

Returns home and finds herself slipping back into old patterns with Harlan, though she finds him irritating yet fascinating.

### Mrs. Oliphant

Returns from welcoming Martha home, tactfully silencing her husband's loud remarks near the library.

### Mr. Shelby

Mentioned as Martha's father, who did not keep her informed of home news.

## Key lines

> I’d like to have you go with me. She’s an old friend of mine and all our family; she’s been away a long time, and it wouldn’t look very cordial not to⁠—

Dan asks Lena to join him in welcoming Martha home, citing family friendship and courtesy.

_Dan's request triggers Lena's jealousy and the ensuing marital tension._

> A fine reason for not leaving a man!

Lena realizes that her only remaining attachment to Dan is jealousy, not love.

_This marks a turning point in Lena's self-awareness about the marriage._

> You go away and stay forever and ever; then you come back home and by the time your trunk’s unpacked you’re ready to wonder if you’ve been away at all;⁠—maybe you’ve just had a long dream.

Martha reflects on how returning home feels surreal, as if her time abroad was a dream.

_Highlights the theme of change and loss, as Martha struggles with the passage of time._

> You’re the only person I ever heard of that criticized the Renaissance. You’re all wrong, of course, even if I can’t prove it. You’re too much for me, but that’s only because you’re such an admirable bookworm.

Martha tells Harlan his critique of the Renaissance is unique but wrong, calling him a bookworm.

_Reveals Martha's admiration and irritation with Harlan's intellectualism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/national_avenue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters