So Big · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Dirk DeJong visits Dallas O'Mara's studio and unexpectedly finds her entertaining General Emile Goguet and Roelf Pool.
What happens
Dirk DeJong visits Dallas O'Mara's studio and unexpectedly finds her entertaining General Emile Goguet and Roelf Pool. Roelf, recognizing Dirk as Selina's son, proposes they all drive out to visit Selina on her farm. The group travels to High Prairie, where Selina is working in the fields. When she sees Roelf, she runs to him and embraces him.
Themes in this chapter
Beauty and Art
Roelf Pool and Dallas O'Mara discuss Paris plans and artistic reminiscences, highlighting their shared artistic pursuits.
Nature and the Land
The chapter vividly describes the spring landscape, the farm's transformation, and Selina's deep connection to the land.
Class and Social Mobility
Roelf Pool, once a poor farm boy, returns as a celebrated sculptor, while Dirk feels out of place among artists and his mother's rural life.
Characters to notice
- Dirk DeJong
Visits Dallas's studio, feels jealous of her guests, and accompanies the group to his mother's farm.
- Dallas O'Mara
Hosts General Goguet and Roelf Pool in her studio, then joins the excursion to Selina's farm.
- Roelf Pool
Returns from Paris with General Goguet, joyfully reunites with Dirk and later with Selina on the farm.
- General Emile Goguet
Accompanies Roelf Pool to Chicago and joins the visit to Selina's farm, showing interest in American farming.
- Selina DeJong
Working in the fields when the group arrives; she is overjoyed to see Roelf Pool and embraces him.
- Meena Bras
Phlegmatic housekeeper who summons Selina from the fields using a horn.
Key passages
“Dirk was wretched. He pointed out objects of interest to General Goguet. Sixty miles of boulevard. Park system. Finest in the country. Grand Boulevard. Drexel Boulevard. Jackson Park. Illinois Central trains. Terrible, yes, but they were electrifying. Going to make 'em run by electricity, you know. Things wouldn't look so dirty, after that. Halsted Street. Longest street in the world. And, 'Ah, yes,' said the General, politely. 'Ah, yes. Quite so. Most interesting.'”
Feeling miserable and excluded, Dirk tried to make conversation by pointing out Chicago landmarks to General Goguet, who responded with polite but disinterested acknowledgment.
Dirk's discomfort and sense of alienation from the artistic circle is evident as he awkwardly plays tour guide.
“Then she stopped, suddenly, and her hand went to her heart as though she had felt a great pang, and her lips were parted, and her eyes enormous. As Roelf came forward swiftly she took a few quick running steps toward him like a young girl. He took the slight figure in the mud-spattered skirt, the rough gray sweater, and the battered old hat into his arms.”
Selina, upon recognizing Roelf, was overcome with emotion and ran to embrace him, her appearance reflecting her hard work on the farm.
The reunion between Selina and Roelf is deeply emotional, underscoring their enduring bond.