New Grub Street · Chapter
The Old Home explained
This chapter delves into the character of Mrs.
What happens
This chapter delves into the character of Mrs. Edmund Yule, her social pretensions, and her deep disappointment over Amy's marriage to Edwin Reardon, which has ended in separation. It depicts the family's struggle to maintain appearances and their discussions about Reardon's failure as a writer and husband, with John Yule expressing frustration and proposing to confront Reardon.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Money
Amy's marriage to Reardon is depicted as a social and financial disaster, with the family's concern centered on the disgrace and economic burden rather than emotional support.
Poverty and Class
Mrs. Yule's desperate efforts to conceal her financial struggles and maintain a facade of respectability illustrate the harsh realities of poverty and class anxiety.
Ambition and Failure
Reardon's inability to continue writing novels and his fall from a promising literary career to near-destitution exemplify the theme of ambition thwarted by failure.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Edmund Yule
Portrayed as a pretentious and socially anxious widow who is devastated by Amy's separation from Reardon, fearing the social disgrace and struggling to maintain appearances.
- Amy Reardon
Returns to her mother's home with her child after separating from Reardon; she is weary and defensive, rejecting her mother's suggestions to claim Reardon is mentally ill.
- John Yule
Amy's brother, who is critical of Reardon's behavior and proposes to confront him, though he is unwilling to contribute financially to Amy's support.
- Edwin Reardon
Referenced as the failed novelist and husband who has moved to cheap lodgings, unable to write and support his family, leading to the separation.
Key passages
“Mrs. Edmund Yule” must sound well on people’s lips; never be the occasion of those peculiar smiles which she herself was rather fond of indulging at the mention of other people’s names.”
Mrs. Yule is obsessed with her social reputation and fears being mocked as she mocks others.
Highlights her pretentiousness and social anxiety.
“The question of Amy’s marriage had been her constant thought from the time when the little girl shot into a woman grown.”
Mrs. Yule has been preoccupied with finding a suitable husband for Amy since she came of age.
Shows her investment in Amy's marriage as a social asset.
“Alas! alas! What was the end of those shining anticipations?”
Her hopeful expectations for Amy's marriage have ended in disappointment.
Emphasizes the theme of failed ambition.