# The Way Hither explained — New Grub Street

> Chapter companion for New Grub Street by George Gissing.

## What happens

This chapter provides a detailed backstory of Edwin Reardon's life, from his childhood in Hereford to his struggles as a struggling writer in London. It recounts his inheritance, his years of poverty in a garret, his eventual clerkship at a hospital, and his early literary efforts. The chapter culminates in his meeting with Amy Yule at the Grosvenor Gallery, an event that will shape his future.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poverty and Class

Reardon's extreme poverty in his garret, living on a shilling a day, contrasts with his later social ascent and the class anxieties of his marriage.

### Ambition and Failure

Reardon's literary ambitions are repeatedly thwarted by financial failure, yet he persists, driven by a desire to live by the pen.

### Artistic Integrity vs. Commercialism

Reardon's novels are psychological and lack popular appeal, highlighting the tension between artistic merit and commercial success.

## Character check-ins

### Edwin Reardon

Protagonist; his early life, literary struggles, and meeting with Amy Yule are detailed.

### Mr. Carter

Secretary of the hospital who hires Reardon as a clerk and later introduces him to John Yule.

### John Yule

Friend of Carter and Reardon; introduces Reardon to his mother and sister, Amy.

### Amy Reardon

Introduced as John Yule's sister; Reardon meets her at the Grosvenor Gallery.

### Mrs. Edmund Yule

Mother of John and Amy; speaks with Reardon at the gallery.

## Key lines

> He could not resist the temptation to recover his freedom. Four hundred pounds, at the rate of eighty pounds a year, meant five years of literary endeavour.

The inheritance tempted him to quit his job, calculating that the money would support him for five years of writing.

_Reardon's decision to leave his clerkship for full-time writing, driven by hope and financial miscalculation._

> He was the kind of man who cannot struggle against adverse conditions, but whom prosperity warms to the exercise of his powers.

Reardon's creativity flourished in comfort but withered under hardship.

_Character insight into Reardon's dependence on favorable circumstances for productivity._

> The injury to his pride made him savagely arrogant; for days after the last rejection he hid himself in his garret, hating the world.

Rejection made him bitter and reclusive, nursing his wounded pride in isolation.

_Psychological impact of failure on Reardon's temperament._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/v-the-way-hither
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters