# Old Moodie explained — The Blithedale Romance

> Chapter companion for The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

## What happens

On the eve of his departure for Blithedale, Miles Coverdale encounters an elderly, shabby man named Old Moodie who asks to speak with him. Moodie hesitantly inquires about Coverdale's trip and mentions Zenobia, but ultimately defers his request. Coverdale reflects on the Veiled Lady exhibition and his own doubts about joining the Blithedale experiment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Identity

Old Moodie's hesitant, secretive manner and the Veiled Lady's hidden identity introduce themes of concealment and masks.

### Idealism vs. Reality

Coverdale's doubts about the wisdom of joining Blithedale reflect the tension between utopian ideals and practical uncertainties.

## Character check-ins

### Miles Coverdale

Narrator and protagonist; returning from the Veiled Lady exhibition, preparing to leave for Blithedale.

### Old Moodie

Shy, elderly man who stops Coverdale on the street to inquire about Blithedale and Zenobia.

### Zenobia

Mentioned as a resident at Blithedale; Coverdale has not yet met her personally.

### Mr. Hollingsworth

Mentioned by Coverdale as an older, more solid philanthropist who might suit Moodie's purpose.

### The Veiled Lady

Subject of a mesmeric exhibition Coverdale attended; her identity is mysterious.

## Key lines

> The evening before my departure for Blithedale, I was returning to my bachelor apartments, after attending the wonderful exhibition of the Veiled Lady, when an elderly man of rather shabby appearance met me in an obscure part of the street.

On the night before leaving for Blithedale, Coverdale was walking home from a show featuring the Veiled Lady when a shabby old man approached him in a dimly lit street.

_Sets the scene and introduces Old Moodie._

> I knew the pale, elderly face, with the red-tipped nose, and the patch over one eye; and likewise saw something characteristic in the old fellow's way of standing under the arch of a gate, only revealing enough of himself to make me recognize him as an acquaintance.

Coverdale recognized the man by his pale face, red nose, and eye patch, and noted his habit of hiding partly in shadows.

_Describes Old Moodie's appearance and shy demeanor._

> I wonder, sir, said he, whether you know a lady whom they call Zenobia?

Old Moodie asked if Coverdale was acquainted with a woman named Zenobia.

_First mention of Zenobia in the chapter, hinting at her significance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/i-old-moodie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters