# X: The Friends of the Family explained — New Grub Street > Chapter companion for New Grub Street by George Gissing. ## What happens Amy Reardon grows increasingly dissatisfied with her isolated life and her husband's failing literary career. She feels ashamed of their poverty and avoids social engagements, particularly with her friend Mrs. Carter, who suspects the truth. Reardon sells a portion of his beloved book collection for a paltry sum to raise money. Later, Jasper Milvain visits and joins Reardon and Harold Biffen for an evening of talk; Amy observes the contrast between Biffen's respectful deference and Milvain's casual ease. The chapter ends with Amy learning that Biffen has pawned his coat, deepening her despair. ## Themes in this chapter ### Poverty and Class Reardon's sale of his books for a meager sum and Biffen's pawned coat starkly illustrate the financial desperation of struggling authors. Amy's avoidance of society reflects the shame and class anxiety associated with poverty. ### Marriage and Money Amy's disappointment in Reardon's failure and her social withdrawal highlight the strain that financial insecurity places on their marriage. She married expecting distinction, but now faces isolation and pity. ### Artistic Integrity vs. Commercialism The contrast between Biffen's defense of realistic, unsaleable writing and Jasper's pragmatic emphasis on market value underscores the tension between artistic ideals and commercial success. ## Character check-ins ### Amy Reardon Amy feels humiliated by her husband's lack of success and avoids society, pretending to be occupied with studies and household duties. She is distressed by their poverty and the need to sell books. ### Edwin Reardon Reardon sells nearly a hundred books for two pounds ten shillings, feeling the loss of dear old friends. He struggles with writing and spends a gloomy evening with Amy. ### Edith Carter Edith visits Amy and tries to maintain their friendship, but Amy is evasive about social invitations. Edith is lively and sociable, contrasting with Amy's withdrawn state. ### Jasper Milvain Jasper visits Reardon and Biffen in the evening, discussing Whelpdale's failed novel and the realities of the literary market. He smokes casually in Amy's presence, showing his ease. ### Harold Biffen Biffen has pawned his coat and sits in his overcoat to hide it. He is respectful toward Amy and speaks in favor of realism in literature. He is poor and struggles to get enough to eat. ## Key lines > I can't say more than two pounds ten. The bookseller offers only two pounds ten shillings for nearly a hundred books. _Highlights the meager value placed on a poor scholar's library._ > Show the numberless repulsive features of common decent life. Seriously, coldly; not a hint of facetiousness, or the thing becomes different. Biffen advocates for a stark, unflinching realism in literature, without humor or sentimentality. _Reflects the realist literary movement and Biffen's artistic principles._ > That poor man will die of starvation, some day, Edwin. Amy predicts that Biffen will eventually starve to death due to his extreme poverty. _Shows Amy's awareness of the dire consequences of literary poverty._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/x-the-friends-of-the-family - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters