Night and Day · Chapter
XVII explained
During a visit to the Otway family home, Katharine Hilbery observes the conventional marriage of her Aunt Charlotte and Sir Francis, which deepens her doubts about her own engagement to William Rodney.
What happens
During a visit to the Otway family home, Katharine Hilbery observes the conventional marriage of her Aunt Charlotte and Sir Francis, which deepens her doubts about her own engagement to William Rodney. She reflects on the necessity of pretense in marriage and the suppression of passion. Meanwhile, her mother Mrs. Hilbery discusses country living and travel plans, and Katharine supports her cousin Henry's artistic rebellion against family expectations. Lady Otway contrasts Katharine's sensible demeanor with her daughter Cassandra's eccentric interests, and a drive to Lincoln is planned.
Themes in this chapter
Love vs. Marriage
Katharine questions whether marriage without passion is inevitable, contrasting her own engagement with the conventional marriages of her aunts.
Gender Roles and Women's Independence
Lady Otway advises that a woman must give way to her husband, while Katharine muses on the necessity of pretense; Cassandra's silkworm hobby represents a form of female independence.
Generational Conflict
Henry's rebellion against family expectations and Lady Otway's frustration with Cassandra's eccentricities illustrate the divide between older and younger generations.
Illusion and Reality
Katharine feels that passion is like a 'traveller's story' rarely believed, and she contemplates pretending to like emeralds when she prefers diamonds, highlighting the gap between appearance and truth.
Characters to notice
- Katharine Hilbery
Contemplates the nature of marriage and passion while visiting her aunt; supports her cousin Henry's artistic pursuits; feels depressed by the conventional views of marriage expressed by her elders.
- Mrs. Hilbery
Visits the Otway family; discusses country living and travel; shows a vague alarm at her daughter's reserve but admires her independence.
- Lady Otway
Hosts the visit; shares her views on marriage and giving way to one's husband; contrasts Katharine's sensible nature with her daughter Cassandra's eccentricities.
- Cassandra Otway
Bursts into the room with news of the carriage; known for keeping silkworms in her bedroom, which concerns her mother.
- Henry Otway
The eldest of the younger group; rebels against family expectations by pursuing music and wearing black flannel shirts; supported by Katharine.
- Sir Francis
Comes out of his study with the Times, complaining about noise and draughts; his quick temper is alluded to.
- William Rodney
Mentioned as part of the group driving to Lincoln; Katharine reflects on her engagement to him.
Key passages
“she could pretend to like emeralds when she preferred diamonds.”
Katharine realizes she can feign satisfaction with her engagement, just as her aunt pretended to like an emerald ring.
Illustrates Katharine's growing awareness of the compromises required in marriage.
“to be engaged to marry someone with whom you are not in love is an inevitable step in a world where the existence of passion is only a traveller’s story brought from the heart of deep forests and told so rarely that wise people doubt whether the story can be true.”
Katharine believes that marrying without love is a necessary compromise in a world where true passion is almost mythical.
Captures Katharine's resigned and disillusioned view of her own engagement.
“Most women know by instinct whether they can give it or not. And if not—well then, my advice would be—don't marry.”
Lady Otway suggests that women instinctively know if they can submit to a husband, and if not, they should avoid marriage altogether.
Reflects the conventional wisdom about marital submission that Katharine finds troubling.
