Short Fiction · Chapter
The Recessional explained
Clovis Sangrail writes a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, discussing his wager with Loona Bimberton and the poem's vivid, exaggerated imagery with Bertie van Tahn.
What happens
Clovis Sangrail writes a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, discussing his wager with Loona Bimberton and the poem's vivid, exaggerated imagery with Bertie van Tahn. The poem is published in the short-lived Smoky Chimney, and Loona Bimberton suffers a nervous breakdown afterward.
Themes in this chapter
The Absurdity of Social Rituals
Clovis's flippant composition of a coronation ode and the wager over its publication satirize the pretentiousness of literary and social ceremonies.
Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
Loona Bimberton's claim that coronation odes are the province of a gifted few, contrasted with Clovis's easy production of verse, exposes social hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Clovis Sangrail
Writing a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, having bet Loona Bimberton he can write coronation-style verse.
- Bertie van Tahn
Converses with Clovis in the Turkish bath, critiquing his poem and discussing its imagery.
- Mrs. Packletide
Suggested Clovis write the poem and arranged publication in the Smoky Chimney.
- Loona Bimberton
Bet Clovis he cannot write a coronation ode; later suffers a nervous breakdown after the poem's publication.
Key passages
“I’m writing deathless verse.”
Clovis claims he is composing immortal poetry.
Clovis's ironic self-importance as he writes a poem for a bet.
“It’s rather like casting pearls into a trough”
Clovis compares reading his poem to Bertie as wasting something valuable on someone unappreciative.
Clovis's witty dismissal of Bertie's critical abilities.
“The public will stand a good deal”
Bertie suggests that the public will accept many inaccuracies in poetry.
Bertie's cynical observation about public credulity.