New Grub Street · Chapter
XX: The End of Waiting explained
Jasper Milvain receives a visit from his sister Dora, and later from Whelpdale, who discusses the success of his manual and the progress of Biffen's novel.
What happens
Jasper Milvain receives a visit from his sister Dora, and later from Whelpdale, who discusses the success of his manual and the progress of Biffen's novel. Jasper then visits Mrs. Edmund Yule, where he learns of Reardon's abrupt decision to take a clerkship and move to a poor district, leading to his separation from Amy. After leaving, Jasper encounters Reardon on the street, who accuses him of influencing Amy against him through his glorification of success.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Class
Reardon's move to a poor district and his clerkship illustrate the harsh consequences of financial failure and social decline.
Ambition and Failure
Reardon's abandonment of his writing career and his accusation against Jasper highlight the theme of failed ambition and its personal costs.
Friendship and Betrayal
Reardon's confrontation with Jasper reveals a sense of betrayal, as he blames Jasper's influence for his marital breakdown.
Characters to notice
- Jasper Milvain
Receives visits from Dora and Whelpdale, then visits Mrs. Yule to discuss Reardon's situation, and later confronts Reardon on the street.
- Dora Milvain
Visits Jasper alone, discusses Maud's outing with the Lanes, and meets Whelpdale.
- Whelpdale
Visits Jasper and Dora, discusses his manual's sales and Biffen's novel.
- Edwin Reardon
Has taken a clerkship and moved to a poor area; encounters Jasper on the street and accuses him of influencing Amy.
- Mrs. Edmund Yule
Hosts Jasper and discusses Reardon's behavior, expressing concern about his sanity.
- Amy Reardon
Mentioned as unwell and keeping to her room due to the shock of Reardon's actions.
Key passages
“All this is contemptible, of course; but we belong to a contemptible society, and can't help ourselves.”
Jasper acknowledges the moral failings of their social environment but resigns himself to its constraints.
Reflects Jasper's cynical view of society and his pragmatic approach to social norms.
“Your way of talking has always been to glorify success, to insist upon it as the one end a man ought to keep in view.”
Reardon accuses Jasper of promoting success as the ultimate goal, which he believes influenced Amy against him.
Highlights the central conflict between artistic integrity and commercial ambition.