The Arrow of Gold · Chapter
III explained
The narrator returns from an expedition with Dominic, visits Madame Léonore's café, and later encounters Therese at his lodging, who informs him of Mr.
What happens
The narrator returns from an expedition with Dominic, visits Madame Léonore's café, and later encounters Therese at his lodging, who informs him of Mr. Blunt's arrival from Navarre.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Obsession
Madame Léonore's affection for Dominic and her jealousy of Doña Rita highlight themes of romantic fixation.
Class and Aristocracy
The narrator's disguise as a sailor and the presence of the Blunts, described as 'American, Catholic, and gentleman,' underscore class distinctions.
Characters to notice
- Dominic
Returns from expedition with the narrator, unshaven and tired, and is the object of Madame Léonore's affection.
- Madame Léonore
Café owner who shows affection for Dominic and shares her observations of Doña Rita and the American.
- Therese
The narrator's landlady, who is startled by his arrival and informs him of Mr. Blunt's return.
- Doña Rita
Mentioned by Madame Léonore, who went to see her and observed her with a good-looking cavalier.
- Mr. Blunt
Reported by Therese to have arrived from Navarre three days ago.
Key passages
“I left behind me the end of the Cannebière, a wide vista of tall houses and much-lighted pavements losing itself in the distance with an extinction of both shapes and lights.”
I walked away from the bright, busy Cannebière, where the lights and buildings faded into darkness.
The narrator avoids recognition while in disguise.
“The dress I wore was just that of a sailor come ashore from some coaster, a thick blue woollen shirt or rather a sort of jumper with a knitted cap like a tam-o’-shanter worn very much on one side and with a red tuft of wool in the centre.”
I was dressed as a sailor, with a blue wool shirt and a lopsided knitted cap with a red pompom.
The narrator's disguise emphasizes his lower-class appearance.
“I seemed to hear the ghostly murmur, “ Américain, Catholique et gentilhomme. Amér … ””
I imagined hearing the phrase 'American, Catholic, and gentleman' echoing in the hallway.
This recalls Captain Blunt's introduction, highlighting the theme of identity.
““The young are always full of fun,” she said as if she were gloating over the idea. “It is very pleasant.””
Therese remarked that young people are always playful, and she seemed to enjoy that thought.
Therese's comment reflects her perception of the narrator's youth.
““That’s what carnal sin ( pêché de chair ) leads to,” she commented severely and passed her tongue over her thin lips.”
Therese said that carnal sin leads to murder, and she licked her lips as she spoke.
Therese's moralizing reflects the religious and superstitious atmosphere.