# Second Note explained — The Arrow of Gold

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

## What happens

The narrator reflects on the six months following the last night of Carnival, a period of deep and joyous tenderness between George and Doña Rita in a small house in the Maritime Alps. The narrative is largely suppressed, but the facts are given: their retreat, their childlike companionship, and their eventual separation. George, recovering from a duel, learns from Mills that Rita has left, having sacrificed their love for the integrity of his life. She leaves him an arrow as a keepsake, which he says has found its mark, signifying an end to his dreaming. The chapter also touches on the fate of Henry Allègre's fortune and the curiosity of the outside world about the couple's disappearance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Obsession

The chapter explores the deep, joyous tenderness between George and Rita, and the sacrifice Rita makes for George's integrity, highlighting the consuming nature of their love.

### Sacrifice and Devotion

Rita's decision to leave George is framed as a heroic sacrifice for the integrity of his life, while Rose's devotion to Rita is also noted.

### Illusion vs. Reality

The narrator questions the reality of their idyllic retreat, suggesting that Rita may have been playing a part, and the world of lovers is deemed impossible.

## Character check-ins

### George

Recovering from a duel, he learns of Rita's departure and reflects on their time together. He accepts her sacrifice, stating the arrow has found its mark.

### Doña Rita

She has left George after their retreat, having sacrificed their love for his integrity. She leaves an arrow as a keepsake and a message to prevent him from dreaming.

### Mills

He attends to George during his recovery and delivers Rita's message. He provides insight into Rita's character and the nature of their relationship.

### Rose

The only companion of the two hermits in their rose-embowered hut, her reaction to their relationship is noted as uncertain.

### Captain Blunt

Mentioned as the one who shot George in the duel, and whose bullet is compared to the arrow's mark.

## Key lines

> Love as is well known having nothing to do with reason, being insensible to forebodings and even blind to evidence, the surrender of those two beings to a precarious bliss has nothing very astonishing in itself

The narrator suggests that the couple's surrender to a fragile happiness is not surprising because love is irrational and ignores warnings.

_This reflects on the nature of their love and the lack of dramatic interest in its portrayal._

> She has sacrificed that chance to the integrity of your life—heroically.

Mills tells George that Rita gave up her chance at love to preserve the wholeness of his life, and that this was a heroic act.

_This highlights the theme of sacrifice and devotion._

> There will be no more dreaming. Tell her. She will understand.

George tells Mills to inform Rita that the arrow she left him has ended his dreams, and that she will understand the meaning.

_This signifies George's acceptance of the end of their relationship and his emotional state._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-second-note
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters