# The Recessional explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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