Short Fiction · Chapter
Wedding Day explained
Ruth, substituting for her sick sister Alice, attends the wedding of musical comedy star Brownie Burt and comedian Jimmy Shane.
What happens
Ruth, substituting for her sick sister Alice, attends the wedding of musical comedy star Brownie Burt and comedian Jimmy Shane. The ceremony is brief and unconventional, followed by a gathering at Ben Seaton's apartment. The celebration includes cocktails, dancing, and a rambling, self-aggrandizing speech by the groom. Through conversation, the backstory of the marriage is revealed: Brownie, desperate not to lose Jimmy, threatened a breach-of-promise suit, and Jimmy called her bluff by agreeing to marry her. The chapter explores the strange dynamics of their union, the performative nature of their social circle, and the underlying tensions and cynicism that mark the occasion.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Gender Roles
The wedding is a transaction, not a romantic union. Brownie uses the threat of a lawsuit to force a proposal, while Jimmy marries her to avoid legal and financial consequences. The chapter satirizes the institution as a power struggle.
Celebrity and Artistic Integrity
The chapter contrasts the public personas of the celebrities with their private, less glamorous reality. Jimmy's speech is a performance, and the guests' conversation is filled with cynical observations about the theatrical world.
Satire of Media and Business
The wedding is treated as a business transaction, with the bride's pride and the groom's salary as key considerations. The presence of reporters and the focus on public image highlight the commercial nature of celebrity life.
Characters to notice
- Jimmy Ralston
The groom, a famous comedian, is late to his own wedding and delivers a long, self-focused speech at the reception. His conversation with Ruth reveals a flirtatious and insincere nature.
- Allie French
Referred to as Brownie, the bride, a musical comedy star. She is described as beautiful but nervous. The chapter reveals she threatened a breach-of-promise suit to force the marriage.
- Mr. Grant
Referred to as Ed, Ruth's brother-in-law, a publicity man for the Shuberts. He is cynical about the wedding and provides some of the backstory to Ruth.
- Ben Drake
Referred to as Ben Seaton, a juvenile actor and friend of the couple. He hosts the post-wedding gathering at his apartment and gives the bride away.
- Evelyn Corey
Referred to as Dorothy Drew, a soubrette and bridesmaid. She engages in sharp, witty banter with the groom, Jimmy.
- Johnny Abbott
Referred to as Josie King, a chorus girl and guest at the wedding. She rides in the taxi with Ruth and Ben, making sardonic comments.
Key passages
“She can't bear to have anybody feel sorry for her and she was afraid they would if she and Jim didn't keep on. So when it began to look as if she might lose him, she got desperate and threatened to sue him for breach of promise.”
Brownie's pride made her unable to face the pity of others if her relationship with Jim ended, so she resorted to a legal threat to force him to marry her.
This explains the bride's motivation for the marriage, framing it as a desperate act driven by pride rather than love.
“But he beat that game by saying he'd marry her and he's gone through with it, leaving her, of course, with no ground for a suit.”
Jim outmaneuvered Brownie's legal threat by calling her bluff and agreeing to marry her, which nullified her grounds for a lawsuit.
This reveals the groom's cynical and calculating approach to the marriage, viewing it as a game he has won.
“Her pride will keep her from that, for a couple of years at least. And I suppose he figures that by then he'll find some way of getting out of it cheaper.”
Brownie's pride will prevent her from seeking a divorce and alimony for at least a couple of years, and Jim likely plans to find a less costly way out of the marriage by then.
This predicts the future of the marriage, suggesting it is a temporary arrangement with an anticipated, financially motivated end.
