Poetry · Chapter
II explained
A poetic address to a 'bad little boy' who is both injured and charming, highlighting his gallant gestures toward Elena and his precocious, coquettish nature.
What happens
A poetic address to a 'bad little boy' who is both injured and charming, highlighting his gallant gestures toward Elena and his precocious, coquettish nature.
Themes in this chapter
Childhood and Innocence
The chapter presents a child who is both innocent and precociously coquettish, blurring the lines between childhood and adult desire.
Sexuality and Gender
The boy is described as 'delightfully male' and 'gallant,' while the girl is a 'precocious coquette,' highlighting gendered performances of desire.
Characters to notice
- Elena
Elena is the object of the boy's gallant gesture, sitting beside him on a mackintosh.
Key passages
“Hail to you Bad little boy Lying In bound beauty Of only a broken leg”
Greetings to you, mischievous little boy, lying there with a broken leg, yet still beautiful.
The speaker addresses the boy with a mix of admiration and reproach.
“Delightfully male Already gallant You smooth the mackintosh For Elena to sit on beside you”
Charmingly masculine and already courteous, you arrange the mackintosh so Elena can sit next to you.
The boy's gallant gesture is framed as an early display of masculine charm.
“Precocious coquette Who never learnt to talk To look at him Before Your semi-imbecile Eyes shut”
You are an early-developing flirt who never learned to speak, looking at him before your half-witted eyes close.
The girl is described as a coquette who communicates through gaze rather than speech.