# IX: The Gate of Horn explained — Sinister Street

> Chapter companion for Sinister Street by Compton Mackenzie.

## What happens

Michael, reeling from the collapse of his engagement to Lily, asks Guy to stay in London. They visit Maurice's studio, where Michael meets Ronnie Walker, an old lover of Lily. Michael asks Maurice to handle the dissolution of his household at Ararat House. Later, Michael reflects on his conversation with Sylvia Scarlett and feels a surge of anarchistic thoughts against society. He visits Leppard Street, where Mrs. Cleghorne tells him about Barnes's woman, and then goes to Hardingham to see Stella. He discusses his plans to help Henry Meats with Castleton, determined to challenge the legal system.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Obsession

Michael's disillusionment with Lily and his engagement's collapse; his encounter with Ronnie Walker, an old lover of Lily, highlights the tangled web of past relationships.

### The Underworld and Urban Decay

Leppard Street's melancholy and decay; Michael's visit to the slums and his involvement with the criminal Henry Meats.

### Friendship and Betrayal

Michael's strained friendship with Maurice; his reliance on Guy; the underlying tensions and betrayals in his social circle.

## Character check-ins

### Michael Fane

Feeling listless and disillusioned after breaking off his engagement; asks Guy to stay; visits Maurice's studio; arranges to dissolve the Ararat House household; reflects on Sylvia and society; plans to help Henry Meats.

### Guy Hazlewood

Agrees to stay in London with Michael; dines with Mrs. Fane; accompanies Michael to Maurice's studio.

### Maurice Avery

Hosts a gathering at his studio; plays Brahms; introduces Michael to Ronnie Walker; agrees to handle the dissolution of Michael's household at Ararat House.

### Stella Cunningham

At Hardingham; brings in the first roses of the year; discusses inspiration with Michael; defends Alan against Michael's criticism.

### Sylvia Scarlett

Michael thinks of her after their conversation under the mulberry tree; he considers sending her books.

### Henry Barnes

Mentioned as having a woman living with him at Leppard Street; Mrs. Cleghorne complains about him.

## Key lines

> Michael in the sun-colored Summer room felt smothered by a complete listlessness; and talking very little, he sat wondering at the swiftness with which a strong fabric of the imagination had tumbled down.

Michael felt suffocated by apathy in the bright summer room, silently marveling at how quickly his elaborate fantasies had collapsed.

_Michael's emotional state after the end of his engagement._

> The people of London were somehow transfigured, and he longed to see their souls, if it were only in the lucid flashes of a nightmare.

The Londoners seemed transformed, and Michael yearned to glimpse their true selves, even if only in brief, nightmarish visions.

_Michael's philosophical reflection on the hidden depths of ordinary people._

> Michael began to make a catalogue of the Golden Calves that the Golden Asses of green England worshiped.

Michael started listing the false idols that the foolish English people adored.

_Michael's critique of societal materialism and conformity._

## Links

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