Short Fiction · Chapter
The Enchanted Profile explained
Ida Bates recounts her brief, luxurious stay with the wealthy but frugal Maggie Brown, who took her in and lavished her with expensive clothes and a grand banquet, only to suddenly economize and move them to a cheap rooming house.
What happens
Ida Bates recounts her brief, luxurious stay with the wealthy but frugal Maggie Brown, who took her in and lavished her with expensive clothes and a grand banquet, only to suddenly economize and move them to a cheap rooming house. Ida eventually leaves and returns to her job at the Acropolis hotel, where she reconnects with a newspaper artist named Lathrop, whom she met at the banquet. The story ends with the narrator revealing that Ida's profile resembles the head on a silver dollar, explaining Maggie Brown's fascination with her.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Maggie Brown's initial lavish spending hides her true frugality, and Ida's beauty masks her working-class origins, culminating in the revelation that Ida's profile resembles the silver dollar.
Social Class and Wealth
The story explores the tension between wealth and happiness, as Maggie Brown's fortune brings temporary luxury but ultimately leads to discomfort and disillusionment.
Love and Romance
Ida's interest in the newspaper artist Lathrop suggests a romantic subplot, though it remains ambiguous whether his interest is genuine or motivated by money.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator listens to Ida Bates's story and later reveals the resemblance between her profile and the silver dollar.
- Maggie Toole
Ida Bates, the main speaker, tells of her experience with the wealthy Maggie Brown and her return to work at the Acropolis.
- The Captain
Not explicitly named in excerpts, but the narrator is referred to as 'Man' by Ida; likely the Captain from context.
Key passages
“I saw the bill. I began to love that old lady.”
Seeing the expensive bill made me appreciate Maggie Brown's generosity.
Ida's affection for Maggie grows when she sees the cost of their lavish lifestyle.
“By jingo! Isn't Ida's a dead ringer for the lady's head on the silver dollar?”
Ida's profile looks exactly like the image of Liberty on the silver dollar coin.
The narrator reveals the reason for Maggie Brown's obsession with Ida's appearance.