Sinister Street · Chapter
XV: Grey Eyes explained
Michael returns to the country with his mother and reflects on the profound change he has undergone.
What happens
Michael returns to the country with his mother and reflects on the profound change he has undergone. He observes his mother's youthful beauty and compares her to Hera, while Mrs. Ross reminds him of Pallas Athene. After a conversation with Mrs. Carthew that leaves him feeling criticized, he joins Alan in a canoe and later discusses personality and influence with Mrs. Ross in an orchard, where she speaks of loyalty and the future paths of the two friends.
Themes in this chapter
Childhood and Formation
Michael reflects on his boyhood holidays and the quintessence of holiday airs, while Mrs. Ross recalls his serious childhood and discusses how experience shapes personality.
Friendship and Betrayal
Michael and Alan's friendship is central, with Michael fearing he will leave Alan behind, and Mrs. Ross affirming Alan's passionate loyalty.
The Passage of Time and Memory
Michael's walk is charged with memories of past holidays, and he contemplates the changes in himself since yesterday.
Characters to notice
- Michael Fane
Reflects on his profound change after yesterday's action, observes his mother's beauty, and engages in deep conversation with Mrs. Ross about personality and friendship.
- Mrs. Fane
Travels with Michael to Basingstead, is described as tall and youthful with lustrous grey eyes, and later has supper at Cobble Place.
- Miss Carthew
Greets Mrs. Fane at the station, drives off with her, and later has a profound conversation with Michael in the orchard about personality and Alan's loyalty.
- Michael Garrod
Appears in white flannels on the platform, walks with Michael, discusses Mrs. Carthew's remarks, and later canoes with Michael.
- Joan Carthew
Hosts Michael and his mother at Cobble Place for supper, engages in a long conversation with Michael that leaves him feeling criticized.
Key passages
“He simply felt that he had suffered a profound change and that his action of yesterday called for a readjustment of his entire standpoint.”
Michael felt deeply transformed and believed his recent actions required him to completely rethink his perspective.
Michael's internal reflection on his personal transformation.
“How young his mother looked! Until now he had taken her youth for granted, but she must be nearly forty. It was scarcely credible that this tall slim creature with the proud, upcurving mouth and lustrous grey eyes was his own mother.”
Michael was struck by how youthful his mother appeared, realizing she was nearly forty but looked like a tall, slim woman with a proud mouth and shining grey eyes.
Michael's observation of his mother's beauty.
“I think experience makes the setting, and according to the experience the personality is perfected or debased, but nothing can destroy personality, not even death.”
Mrs. Ross suggests that experience provides the context for personality, which can be improved or corrupted, but the core personality itself is indestructible, even by death.
Mrs. Ross's philosophical view on personality.
“But the terrible thing is, that I always feel that without noticing it I shall one day leave Alan behind.”
Michael confesses his fear that he will eventually outgrow Alan without realizing it.
Michael's anxiety about his friendship with Alan.