Sinister Street · Chapter
III: The Café d’Orange explained
Michael returns to Cheyne Walk, feeling a sense of estrangement from his former life.
What happens
Michael returns to Cheyne Walk, feeling a sense of estrangement from his former life. He rejoins Stella and Alan, who are now engaged and planning a future in the countryside. Later, he ventures to the Café d’Orange, a seedy nightspot, where he observes the grim underworld and encounters a girl in a daisied hat. He also meets Barnes, now a faded, suspicious figure, and arranges to visit him in Leppard Street.
Themes in this chapter
The Underworld and Urban Decay
The Café d'Orange is depicted as a hellish subterranean den of vice, with garish decor, drunken patrons, and a pervasive sense of moral decay.
Friendship and Betrayal
Michael feels a subtle shift in his friendship with Alan and Stella as they become engaged, and his reunion with Barnes is marked by suspicion and faded camaraderie.
The Passage of Time and Memory
Michael reflects on how his past perceptions of Barnes were heightened by youth, and feels a period of his life is being 'rounded off' as he returns home.
Characters to notice
- Michael Fane
Returns to Cheyne Walk, feels changed by his experiences; visits the Café d'Orange and reconnects with Barnes.
- Stella Cunningham
Engaged to Alan, excitedly describes their future life as squirearchy in Huntingdonshire.
- Mrs. Fane
Greets Michael warmly at Cheyne Walk, but does not press him about his whereabouts.
- Henry Barnes
Encountered at the Café d'Orange; now looks like a down-at-heel actor, suspicious of Michael's interest.
Key passages
“Michael came back to Cheyne Walk with a sense of surprise at finding that it still existed; and when he saw the parlormaid he half expected she would display some emotion at his reappearance.”
Michael was astonished that Cheyne Walk remained unchanged, and he almost anticipated the maid would react emotionally to his return.
Highlights Michael's altered perspective after his time away.
“Downstairs at the Café d’Orange was rather more like a corner of hell than Michael had anticipated.”
The basement of the Café d’Orange was even more infernal than Michael had expected.
Emphasizes the grim, hellish atmosphere of the underworld venue.
“How incredible it seemed now that this Barnes had once been able to work upon his soul with influential doctrine.”
Michael found it hard to believe that Barnes had once exerted such a powerful influence over him.
Reflects Michael's maturation and changed view of Barnes.