# III explained — The Arrow of Gold

> Chapter companion for The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iii-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters