# IV: Four Eyes Were Reading the Passage explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## What happens

The narrator is reading a book when he catches Mr. Jennings peering over his shoulder, reading the same passage. Jennings reveals he has been reading Swedenborg for only a fortnight and expresses deep dissatisfaction with Dr. Harley, whom he calls a materialist. He hints at a personal affliction and asks for the narrator's confidence, suggesting he may need to write or talk about it in the future.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Skepticism

Mr. Jennings's reading of Swedenborg and his critique of Dr. Harley's materialism highlight a tension between spiritual belief and scientific skepticism.

### Memory and Nostalgia

The narrator's recollection of his previous acquaintance with Swedenborg and his book on Metaphysical Medicine suggests a reflective, nostalgic tone.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Jennings

Caught reading over the narrator's shoulder; admits to reading Swedenborg and expresses agitation about Dr. Harley; hints at a troubling personal condition.

### Doctor Hesselius

The narrator, who is reading Swedenborg and discussing metaphysical medicine with Mr. Jennings.

## Key lines

> I was running the head of my pencil-case along the line as I read it, and something caused me to raise my eyes. Directly before me was one of the mirrors I have mentioned, in which I saw reflected the tall shape of my friend Mr. Jennings leaning over my shoulder, and reading the page at which I was busy, and with a face so dark and wild that I should hardly have known him.

While reading, I looked up and saw Mr. Jennings's reflection in the mirror; he was leaning over my shoulder, reading the same page with a disturbingly dark expression.

_The narrator is startled by Jennings's intense, almost unrecognizable demeanor as he secretly reads along._

> I never read a book that I go with, so entirely, as that of yours,” he continued. “I saw at once there is more in it than is quite unfolded.

He praised my book, saying he fully agreed with it and sensed deeper meanings beneath the surface.

_Jennings expresses strong intellectual affinity with the narrator's work, hinting at hidden layers._

> I think that man one of the very greatest fools I ever met in my life,” said Mr. Jennings. This was the first time I had ever heard him say a sharp thing of anybody, and such a term applied to so high a name a little startled me.

Mr. Jennings called Dr. Harley a great fool, which surprised me because I had never heard him speak harshly of anyone, especially such a respected figure.

_Jennings's uncharacteristic criticism of Dr. Harley reveals his deep frustration and inner turmoil._

> If you were guessing all the rest of your life, you will never hit on it.” He shook his head smiling, and over that wintry sunshine a black cloud suddenly came down, and he drew his breath in, through his teeth as men do in pain.

He said I would never guess his secret, then smiled briefly before his expression darkened and he winced as if in pain.

_Jennings hints at a hidden, painful secret that he believes is beyond anyone's guess._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/iv-four-eyes-were-reading-the-passage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_31_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters