Short Fiction · Chapter
The Duplicity of Hargraves explained
Major Talbot and his daughter Miss Lydia are struggling financially in Washington, D.C.
What happens
Major Talbot and his daughter Miss Lydia are struggling financially in Washington, D.C. They take in a boarder, H. Hopkins Hargraves, a young actor who ingratiates himself with the major by listening to his endless stories of the Old South. Hargraves uses these stories to perfect his stage role as Colonel Calhoun in 'A Magnolia Flower,' a character that is a blatant caricature of Major Talbot. The major is outraged when he sees the play, but later, when the Talbots are desperate for money, a mysterious $300 arrives from 'Uncle Mose,' an old family slave. They accept it gratefully. Later, Miss Lydia receives a letter from Hargraves confessing he sent the money as amends and revealing he played 'Uncle Mose' in disguise.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Hargraves deceives the major by feigning interest in his stories, then uses them for a stage caricature. The final twist reveals he also disguised himself as Uncle Mose to give charity.
Social Class and Wealth
The Talbots' genteel poverty contrasts with their pride in their aristocratic past. Hargraves's success highlights the commodification of Southern nostalgia.
Humor and Irony
The major's outrage at being parodied on stage is undercut by his unwitting acceptance of Hargraves's charity, delivered through a theatrical disguise.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator describes the Talbots' financial struggles and Hargraves's manipulation.
- The Colonel
Major Talbot, a proud Southern gentleman, is the victim of Hargraves's mimicry and later unknowingly receives charity from him.
- Annie Williams
Miss Lydia Talbot, the major's practical daughter, manages their finances and discovers Hargraves's secret.
- Billy Keogh
H. Hopkins Hargraves, the actor who boards with the Talbots, uses the major's stories for his stage role and secretly sends them money.
- Old Uncle Jake
Uncle Mose, the former slave who supposedly sends the $300, is actually Hargraves in disguise.
Key passages
“With a sad little smile Miss Lydia watched him button his 'Father Hubbard' and depart, pausing at the door, as he always did, to bow profoundly.”
Miss Lydia watched her father leave with a resigned smile, noting his habitual deep bow at the door.
Highlights the major's old-fashioned courtliness and Lydia's weary affection.
“For Colonel Calhoun was made up as nearly resembling Major Talbot as one pea does another.”
Colonel Calhoun's appearance was an almost perfect copy of Major Talbot.
Emphasizes the exactness of Hargraves's imitation.
“He took rank among artists when he began, and he never varied the process.”
The major made juleps with the precision and ritual of an artist.
Shows the major's pride in his Southern traditions.
“We will accept this money, Uncle Mose, since, in a way, it is a sort of payment, as well as a token of the loyalty and devotion of the old regime.”
The major rationalizes accepting the money as a rightful tribute from a loyal former slave.
Reveals the major's self-deception and clinging to the old social order.