Short Fiction · Chapter
VI explained
Rutherford Maxwell's play 'Willie in the Wilderness' is a triumph, largely due to Winfield Knight's performance.
What happens
Rutherford Maxwell's play 'Willie in the Wilderness' is a triumph, largely due to Winfield Knight's performance. After the celebratory supper, Rutherford returns to Alcala where Peggy Norton has waited up. He confesses his love for her and proposes, but Peggy refuses, revealing she is not free and that he truly belongs to his former life with the girl and the country. She kisses his forehead and leaves, leaving Rutherford to realize it was all a Broadway dream.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Rutherford's proposal to Peggy and her refusal highlight the conflict between love and practical life choices.
Identity and Self-Improvement
Rutherford's success as a playwright contrasts with his inner conflict about who he truly is and where he belongs.
The Contrast Between City and Country
Peggy argues that Rutherford's true home is with 'the girl and the cows and roses,' not Broadway.
Characters to notice
- Rutherford Maxwell
Celebrates the success of his play but feels disconnected; proposes to Peggy and is rejected.
- Peggy Norton
Waits up for Rutherford, congratulates him, but refuses his proposal, insisting he belongs elsewhere.
- Winfield Knight
Mentioned as the actor whose performance made the play a success; detains Rutherford after the show.
Key passages
“Willie in the Wilderness was not a failure. It was a triumph.”
The play was a great success.
Opening line establishing the play's positive reception.
“I guess you'll be quitting soon, George? Now that you've made a home run. You'll be going back to that rube joint, with the cows and hens—isn't that it?”
Peggy assumes Rutherford will return to his rural life and fiancée now that he is successful.
Peggy's assumption about Rutherford's future plans.
“I'm not going back. I'm never going back. I'm a cad, I'm a hound! I know I am. But I'm not going back. I'm going to stay here with you.”
Rutherford declares he will not return to his old life and wants to stay with Peggy.
Rutherford's emotional confession of his change of heart.
“No! I wouldn't play you such a mean trick. I'm too fond of you, George.”
Peggy refuses his proposal because she cares too much to ruin his life.
Peggy's reason for rejecting Rutherford.
“It's all just a Broadway dream, George. Think of it like that.”
Peggy tells Rutherford that his feelings for her are a temporary illusion of city life.
Peggy's metaphor for Rutherford's infatuation.