# IV: The Ringing of the Bell explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Arthur Machen.

## What happens

The narrator shifts from his personal bewilderment to the story of Llantrisant. On a June morning, a deaf old woman, Mrs. Parry, suddenly hears a great bell, which she claims came from Paradise. Other isolated individuals—a child, some fishermen—also hear the bell, though most do not. The phenomenon sparks a collective memory of the legendary bell of Teilo Sant, said to have sailed from Syon, and the townspeople recall old tales of a wonder that has returned after long ages.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural and the Divine

The bell is described as coming from Paradise, and its sound is compared to angelic choirs, linking the event to divine or supernatural origin.

### The Power of Storytelling and Art

The townspeople recall ancient tales of the bell of Teilo Sant, showing how old stories shape the interpretation of mysterious events.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Parry

A deaf old woman who suddenly regains her hearing and hears a great bell, which she says came from Paradise.

### Mrs. Williams

A neighbour in the marketplace who initially scoffs at Mrs. Parry's story.

### Mrs. Morgan

Another neighbour who questions Mrs. Parry about the bell.

## Key lines

> You cannot begin to solve a puzzle till you know what the puzzle is about.

One must understand the nature of a mystery before attempting to solve it.

_The narrator reflects on his initial confusion and the need to grasp the true nature of the enigma._

> It came sailing across the sea... and I did hear it coming nearer and nearer to the land.

The sound of the bell approached from the sea, growing louder as it reached the shore.

_Mrs. Parry describes how she perceived the bell's sound moving toward her._

> There were such melodies and songs that my heart was full of joy.

The music was so beautiful that it filled the listener with happiness.

_A townsperson recounts the emotional effect of the bell's sound._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_6_se/chapters/iv-the-ringing-of-the-bell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_6_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_6_se/chapters