# V explained — Parnassus on Wheels

> Chapter companion for Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley.

## What happens

Helen and Mifflin travel through Greenbriar and Shelby, with Helen hiding in the van to avoid recognition while Mifflin gives a book-selling lecture. They stop at a hotel in Shelby, where Helen reflects on her anxiety about leaving Andrew and the farm, but Mifflin encourages her to enjoy the adventure.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Self-Discovery

Helen embarks on an uncertain journey, hiding in the van and grappling with her anxiety, while Mifflin encourages her to see it as a holiday.

### Practical Wisdom vs. Intellectualism

Mifflin's book-selling lecture emphasizes the practical value of owning books for everyday life, contrasting with abstract intellectualism.

### Community and Human Connection

Mifflin engages the townspeople of Greenbriar with his lecture, and Reverend Kane joins in, showing the communal aspect of book peddling.

## Character check-ins

### Roger Mifflin

Drives Parnassus, gives a book-selling lecture in Greenbriar, and plans to push on to Port Vigor but decides to stay overnight in Shelby.

### Helen McGill

Hides inside Parnassus during the Greenbriar stop to avoid being seen, worries about Andrew and the farm, and falls asleep during the journey.

### Bock

The terrier accompanies Helen inside the van, dozing at her feet.

### Peg

The horse that pulls Parnassus, ambling along the road.

### Reverend Kane

The Methodist minister in Greenbriar who engages with Mifflin's lecture and buys a book.

### Andrew McGill

Mentioned by Helen as she worries about his meals and underclothes after her departure.

## Key lines

> Talkers never write. They go on talking.

People who talk a lot rarely become writers because they keep talking instead of writing.

_Mifflin's aphorism about the difference between talkers and writers._

> Calling us men doesn't make us men. No creature on earth has a right to think himself a human being if he doesn't know at least one good book.

Simply being called a man doesn't make you one; true humanity requires knowledge of at least one good book.

_Mifflin's lecture in Greenbriar emphasizing the importance of reading._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/parnassus_on_wheels_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/parnassus_on_wheels_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/parnassus_on_wheels_se/chapters