The Adventures of Sally · Chapter
XI: Sally Runs Away explained
Ginger Kemp, respecting Sally's need for solitude after her breakup with Gerald, stays away for a few days.
What happens
Ginger Kemp, respecting Sally's need for solitude after her breakup with Gerald, stays away for a few days. On Saturday, he plans to take her for a drive, but encounters his cousin Bruce Carmyle at her apartment, who informs him she has left. Ginger receives a long letter from Sally explaining she has run away to England to help Mr. Faucitt with his inherited dressmaking business, feeling unable to stay in New York due to painful memories. She confesses her hurt pride and her sense of inadequacy compared to Elsa Doland, and urges Ginger to remember her advice and not make a hash of his life.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Self-Discovery
Sally's letter reveals her heartbreak and her struggle to understand her own feelings, showing a journey of self-reflection.
Identity and Pretense
Sally feels she must run away to escape the ghosts of her past, highlighting her struggle with her identity after the breakup.
Loyalty and Friendship
Ginger's consideration in leaving Sally alone and Sally's trust in him as her 'pal' underscore the deep bond between them.
Characters to notice
- Ginger Kemp
Stays away from Sally out of delicacy, plans a drive, encounters Carmyle, and reads Sally's letter with deep emotion.
- Sally Nicholas
Runs away to England, writes a heartfelt letter to Ginger explaining her pain and her decision to help Mr. Faucitt.
- Bruce Carmyle
Visits Sally's apartment, informs Ginger she is gone, and shows displeasure at the encounter.
- Gerald Foster
Referenced in Sally's letter; she burned his last letter without reading it.
- Elsa Doland
Mentioned as a rival; Sally reflects on Elsa's success and her own inadequacy.
- Mr. Maxwell Faucitt
Inherits a dressmaking business in England and invites Sally to help him.
Key passages
“If Ginger Kemp had been asked to enumerate his good qualities, it is not probable that he would have drawn up a very lengthy list.”
Ginger would likely struggle to list many positive traits about himself.
Opening reflection on Ginger's self-awareness.
“He argued from his own tastes, and was strongly of opinion that in times of travail, solitude was what the sufferer most desired.”
He believed that people in distress prefer to be alone, based on his own experience.
Ginger's reasoning for staying away from Sally.
“It was his first experience of America’s Indian Summer, and it had quite overcome him.”
He was deeply impressed by the beautiful autumn weather, which was new to him.
Ginger's appreciation of the season.
“No carefree prospector, singing his way through the Mojave Desert and suddenly finding himself confronted by a rattlesnake, could have experienced so abrupt a change of mood as did Ginger at this revolting spectacle.”
Ginger's cheerful mood was instantly ruined by the sight of Carmyle, as if he had encountered a snake in the desert.
Ginger's reaction to seeing Bruce Carmyle.
“I’m running away, and I haven’t even stopped to say goodbye. I can’t help it. I know it’s weak and cowardly, but I simply can’t help it.”
Sally admits she is fleeing without saying goodbye, acknowledging it is cowardly but feeling unable to do otherwise.
Sally's explanation for her sudden departure.
“Don’t ever be happy anywhere, Ginger. It’s too big a risk, much too big a risk.”
Sally warns Ginger that happiness is too risky because it can lead to pain.
Sally's bitter advice after her heartbreak.
