Point Counter Point · Chapter
XXXV explained
Little Phil briefly recovers, opening his eyes and speaking, bringing joy to Elinor and Philip, but the next day his condition worsens with screams of pain.
What happens
Little Phil briefly recovers, opening his eyes and speaking, bringing joy to Elinor and Philip, but the next day his condition worsens with screams of pain. Dr. Crowther diagnoses meningitis. The child lapses into a stupor and eventually dies from convulsions. Meanwhile, John Bidlake's health declines, and the news of Everard Webley's murder arrives.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Dysfunction
The Quarles family is strained by little Phil's illness; Elinor's guilt and Philip's detachment reveal deep familial tensions.
Modern Alienation and Despair
Elinor's sense of being trapped and her irrational guilt, along with the child's suffering, evoke a profound existential despair.
Art and Artifice
John Bidlake's passionate painting and his focus on aesthetic pleasure contrast sharply with the surrounding tragedy.
Characters to notice
- Philip Quarles
Arrives late from town, annoyed at being called; stays by his son's bedside and draws pictures for him.
- Elinor Quarles
Experiences intense relief when little Phil briefly recovers, then descends into despair as his condition worsens; feels guilt and helplessness.
- John Bidlake
Paints with fury, enjoys a brief revival of spirits, but suffers from a painful obstruction and is forced to lie down.
- Little Phil
Briefly regains sight and speech, smiles, and asks for food; then suffers convulsions and dies.
- Mrs. Bidlake
Observes John painting, repeats her own name meditatively, and later tends to the household.
- Miss Fulkes
Shows signs of misery that lift during the brief period of hope; laughs hysterically at John's anecdotes.
- Dr. Crowther
Diagnoses meningitis, speaks in terse efficient manner, and provides opiates.
- Everard Webley
Mentioned as having been murdered; his body discovered in his motor car.
Key passages
“By God! ... And he began to paint with a kind of fury.”
John Bidlake exclaims in satisfaction and starts painting intensely.
Shows his artistic passion and temporary escape from personal troubles.
“But he can see! ... she was thankful to him, she was profoundly grateful for that look of answering intelligence in his eyes.”
Elinor realizes little Phil can see again and feels overwhelming gratitude.
Highlights the emotional relief and hope during the brief recovery.
“Like the scream of a rabbit in a trap. But a thousand times worse: for it was a child that screamed, not an animal; her child, trapped and in agony.”
The child's screams are compared to a trapped rabbit, but far more painful because it is her own son suffering.
Emphasizes Elinor's helplessness and the intensity of her anguish.
“On the front page was the announcement of the discovery, in his own motor car, of Everard Webley's body.”
The evening papers report that Everard Webley's body was found in his car.
Introduces the political murder subplot into the domestic tragedy.
