# XIV explained — Summer

> Chapter companion for Summer by Edith Wharton.

## What happens

Mr. Royall confronts Charity and Harney in the deserted house, exposing Harney's lack of commitment and Charity's shameful origins. After Royall leaves, Harney proposes a vague future marriage before departing. Later, during Old Home Week celebrations, Charity struggles with insecurity but finds temporary reassurance in Harney's attention. She returns to the house, where Mr. Royall again confronts her, warning her of trouble, and Harney arrives to defend their relationship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Shame and Social Stigma

Mr. Royall publicly shames Charity by revealing her mother's past and implying she is unworthy of marriage, highlighting the stigma attached to her origins.

### Power and Dependency

Mr. Royall exerts control over Charity through his knowledge of her past and his role as her guardian, while Harney's vague proposal underscores Charity's emotional dependency.

### Isolation and Escape

The deserted house serves as a secluded refuge for Charity and Harney, but also symbolizes the precariousness of their escape from societal judgment.

## Character check-ins

### Charity Royall

Confronted by Mr. Royall about her relationship with Harney; struggles with fear and insecurity during Old Home Week; returns to the deserted house and is again confronted by Mr. Royall.

### Lucius Harney

Confronted by Mr. Royall about his intentions; proposes a vague future marriage; dances with Charity at the celebration and later meets her at the deserted house.

### Lawyer Royall

Confronts Charity and Harney at the deserted house, exposing Charity's origins and Harney's lack of commitment; later returns to warn Charity again.

### Annabel Balch

Present at the dance during Old Home Week; appears sallow and pinched to Charity, who feels triumphant in her own beauty.

### Old Miss Hatchard

Attends the dance and asks Harney to dance with other girls.

## Key lines

> Ask him when he’s going to marry you, then⁠—

Mr. Royall challenges Charity to demand a marriage commitment from Harney.

_Highlights the central conflict of Harney's intentions and societal expectations._

> You darsn’t, and you know it⁠—and you know why!

Mr. Royall asserts that Charity is afraid to ask Harney to marry her because she knows he does not intend to.

_Reveals the power dynamics and shame underlying the relationship._

> I shall have to go off for a while⁠—a month or two, perhaps⁠—to arrange some things; and then I’ll come back⁠ ⁠… and we’ll get married.

Harney tells Charity he must leave temporarily but promises to return and marry her.

_Shows Harney's evasiveness and the uncertainty of their future._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/summer_se/chapters