Point Counter Point · Chapter
Chapter XVIII explained
The chapter explores the dynamics at the Literary World office, focusing on Burlap's manipulative relationships with Beatrice Gilray and Miss Cobbett, including a tense encounter with the two poetesses posing as Romola Saville.
What happens
The chapter explores the dynamics at the Literary World office, focusing on Burlap's manipulative relationships with Beatrice Gilray and Miss Cobbett, including a tense encounter with the two poetesses posing as Romola Saville. Meanwhile, Philip and Elinor Quarles navigate a hot day in Port Said, where Philip reflects on his war avoidance and his mother's wish that he had been 'smashed' out of his emotional shell. The narrative juxtaposes Burlap's spiritual pretenses and petty office politics with Philip's intellectual detachment and marital tensions.
Themes in this chapter
Intellectual vs. Instinctual Life
Philip's intellectual detachment is contrasted with his mother's wish for him to be emotionally 'smashed' by war; Burlap's calculated spirituality masks his instinctual desires.
Art and Artifice
The Romola Saville incident exposes the artifice behind literary pretensions; Burlap's editorial role is a performance of high-mindedness.
Modern Alienation and Despair
Philip's indifference and emotional isolation reflect modern alienation; the office politics and Burlap's manipulations underscore a sense of despair and disconnection.
Characters to notice
- Dennis Burlap
Manipulates Beatrice's maternal solicitude and Miss Cobbett's loyalty; uses spirituality as a cover for carnality; feels victimized by the Romola Saville poetesses.
- Beatrice Gilray
Expresses her tenderness for Burlap through sharp, commanding solicitude; rubs his chest with camphorated oil, overcoming her own horror.
- Philip Quarles
Reflects on his war avoidance and his mother's wish that he had been emotionally 'smashed'; uses passive resistance against a persistent carpet seller in Port Said.
- Elinor Quarles
Accompanies Philip in Port Said; engages in shopping while Philip wanders off; previously discussed Philip's emotional shell with Mrs. Quarles.
- Miss Cobbett
Sarcastic and malicious toward Beatrice; loyal to Susan's memory; struggles with her own love for Burlap while resisting his advances.
- Mrs. Quarles
Expresses her wish that Philip had gone to war to break his emotional shell; discussed this with Elinor.
Key passages
“It was an impertinence to ask... What business was it of his whether I'd been damaged in the war? How they go on gloating over their war, those professional soldiers! Well, I can be thankful I kept out of the bloody business. Poor Geoffrey!”
Philip resents the intrusive question about his war injury, feeling that professional soldiers gloat over war. He is grateful to have avoided combat, but thinks of his dead brother Geoffrey.
Reveals Philip's guilt and relief about avoiding World War I, and his resentment of military attitudes.
“It might have smashed his shell for him and set him free from his own prison. Emotionally free; for his intellect's free enough already. Too free, perhaps, for my old-fashioned taste.”
Mrs. Quarles believes that war could have broken Philip's emotional detachment, freeing him from his isolation, though his intellect is already overly free.
Highlights the theme of intellectual vs. instinctual life, and Mrs. Quarles' wish for Philip's emotional liberation.
“I also discovered the only possible basis for the League of Nations. The one common interest. Our toothy friend offered me indecent postcards in seventeen languages. He's wasting himself at Port Said. He ought to be at Geneva.”
Philip jokes that the carpet seller's multilingual offer of indecent postcards reveals a universal human interest that could unite nations better than the League of Nations.
Sardonic commentary on international relations and human nature, reflecting Philip's cynical detachment.
