# The Old Home explained — New Grub Street

> Chapter companion for New Grub Street by George Gissing.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters/xviii-the-old-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/new_grub_street_se/chapters