The Beautiful and Damned · Chapter
III: No Matter! explained
Anthony Patch, aboard a ship, reflects on his past hardships and feels vindicated in his life choices.
What happens
Anthony Patch, aboard a ship, reflects on his past hardships and feels vindicated in his life choices. The chapter depicts his deepening alcoholism, the strain on his marriage to Gloria, and their social isolation. A visit from Muriel Kane sparks discussions on aristocracy, work, and the couple's deteriorating circumstances, culminating in a bitter argument between Anthony and Gloria over his drinking.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Disillusionment
Anthony and Gloria's marriage deteriorates under the strain of alcoholism, financial anxiety, and mutual resentment.
Social Class and Aristocracy
Discussion of aristocracy as a favorable environment for fine traits; the couple's sense of social exclusion and pride.
Irony and Self-Deception
Anthony deludes himself about his past struggles and justifies his drinking; Gloria's own unspoken desires remain hidden.
Characters to notice
- Anthony Patch
Reflects on his past struggles and feels triumphant; descends into heavy drinking and nervousness; argues with Gloria about money and drinking.
- Gloria Gilbert
Feels repulsed by Anthony's decay; takes on household chores; argues with Anthony about his drinking and their social standing.
- Richard Caramel
Mentioned as a successful writer; Anthony feels contempt for him but envies his success.
- Muriel Kane
Visits the couple; discusses aristocracy, work, and social perceptions; tries to mediate between Anthony and Gloria.
- Maury Noble
Mentioned as having stopped drinking, making money, and planning to marry; Anthony laments their drifting apart.
Key passages
“I showed them. It was a hard fight, but I didn’t give up and I came through!”
Anthony feels he has proven his critics wrong by enduring hardships without giving in.
Reflects Anthony's self-justification and sense of victory despite his deteriorating life.
“Aristocracy’s only an admission that certain traits which we call fine—courage and honor and beauty and all that sort of thing—can best be developed in a favorable environment, where you don’t have the warpings of ignorance and necessity.”
Anthony argues that aristocracy provides the ideal conditions for developing admirable human qualities.
Highlights the theme of social class and Anthony's belief in inherent privilege.
“All the qualities that they don’t use in their daily lives get cobwebbed up.”
Gloria observes that people's unused talents and traits become neglected over time.
Reflects on the loss of potential and the changes in relationships as people age.