# The East Wing explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

In the early hours of a February morning, a fire breaks out in the east wing of a country house. The guests, including Lucien Wattleskeat, Major Boventry, and Canon Clore, discuss the fire and the futility of action. Their hostess, Mrs. Gramplain, reveals that her 'daughter' Eva is trapped in the flames, but she later admits Eva is an imaginary daughter she created and painted. Lucien and the Major ultimately sacrifice themselves to save the nonexistent Eva, while the Canon interprets the event as a catalyst for women's suffrage. The butler reveals the fire was accidental, and the fire brigade arrives too late.

## Themes in this chapter

### Imagination vs. Reality

Mrs. Gramplain's imaginary daughter Eva, whom she has nurtured through painting and storytelling, contrasts with the real danger of the fire.

### The Absurdity of Social Rituals

The characters' polite, detached discussions about the fire and their philosophical justifications for inaction highlight the absurdity of social conventions.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

Canon Clore's grand pronouncements about suffrage and sacrifice are undercut by the butler's revelation that the fire was accidental.

## Character check-ins

### Lucien Wattleskeat

A young man who balances his bridge-book and calmly discusses the fire; he ultimately sacrifices himself to save the imaginary Eva.

### The Chaplain

Appears as Canon Clore, who comments on suffragette militancy and the political implications of the fire.

### Mrs. Gramplain

The hostess who reveals her imaginary daughter Eva and laments her unfulfilling life.

### Major Boventry

A military man who initially hesitates to risk his life due to his engagement, but joins Lucien in the rescue attempt.

## Key lines

> I hardly know the family, but I suppose one will be expected to be present, even though the fire does not appear to be in this wing of the house.

Lucien feels social obligation to attend the fire despite not knowing the family well.

_Highlights the theme of social rituals and detachment._

> Eva is the outcome of my imagination. I so much wanted a little girl, and at last I came to believe that she really existed.

Mrs. Gramplain confesses that her daughter Eva is a figment of her imagination.

_Central to the imagination vs. reality theme._

> The real irony of the affair lies in the fact that it will be instrumental in working a social revolution of the utmost magnitude.

Canon Clore believes the fire will spark a social revolution for women's suffrage.

_Reflects the historical context and the theme of hypocrisy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-east-wing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters