# XXXIII: The Sunny Way explained — New Grub Street

> Chapter companion for New Grub Street by George Gissing.

## What happens

Six months after Edwin Reardon's death, Jasper Milvain writes favorable reviews of Biffen's 'Mr. Bailey, Grocer' and a memorial article on Reardon. Whelpdale visits, and Dora Milvain defends Reardon against Amy, while Jasper reveals Maud's engagement to Dolomore.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Literary Marketplace

Jasper writes multiple reviews for Biffen's book to boost its visibility, reflecting the competitive nature of publishing and the need for friends in the press.

### Friendship and Betrayal

Jasper helps Biffen and writes a memorial for Reardon, while Dora criticizes Amy's abandonment of Reardon, highlighting loyalty and betrayal.

### Gender Roles and Women's Position

Dora argues that a wife should stand by her husband, contrasting with Amy's actions; Whelpdale praises Dora's writing for modern girls.

## Character check-ins

### Jasper Milvain

Writing reviews for Biffen's book and a memorial article on Reardon; reveals Maud's engagement to Dolomore.

### Dora Milvain

Reading 'Mr. Bailey, Grocer'; defends Reardon's wife's conduct; argues with Jasper about Amy.

### Whelpdale

Visits Jasper and Dora; praises Dora's story; discusses literary agency and a project for 'Chat'; shows concern about continuing visits after Maud's marriage.

### Edwin Reardon

Deceased; subject of Jasper's memorial article; Dora defends him against Amy.

### Harold Biffen

Author of 'Mr. Bailey, Grocer'; Jasper writes favorable reviews for him.

### Maud Milvain

Engaged to Dolomore; mentioned as marrying at the end of the season.

## Key lines

> The struggle for existence among books is nowadays as severe as among men.

Books compete for survival just as fiercely as people do.

_Jasper comments on the harsh literary marketplace._

> If a writer has friends connected with the press, it is the plain duty of those friends to do their utmost to help him.

Writers with journalist friends should expect them to provide support.

_Jasper justifies his promotional reviews._

> Her conduct was cowardly, faithless, unwomanly!

She acted in a cowardly, unfaithful, and unladylike manner.

_Dora condemns Amy Reardon's behavior toward her husband._

## Links

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