The Blithedale Romance · Chapter
Until Bedtime explained
The first evening at Blithedale is spent in the sitting-room, where the community engages in quiet activities and discussion.
What happens
The first evening at Blithedale is spent in the sitting-room, where the community engages in quiet activities and discussion. Zenobia extends kindness to Priscilla, who becomes more at ease. The group debates a name for their community, ultimately keeping 'Blithedale.' Coverdale falls ill and experiences feverish dreams.
Themes in this chapter
Idealism vs. Reality
The struggle to name the community and the contrast between the idyllic vision of Blithedale and the harsh, cold reality of farm life highlight this theme.
Secrecy and Identity
Priscilla's mysterious background and the symbolic silk purse with a hidden aperture underscore themes of hidden identity and secrecy.
Gender Roles and Women's Rights
Zenobia's role as a writer and advocate for women, along with her commentary on Priscilla's domestic skills, touches on gender dynamics and women's societal roles.
Characters to notice
- Zenobia
Zenobia shows a mix of vexation and kindness toward Priscilla, offering a caress that transforms the girl's demeanor. She speculates about Priscilla's background, suggesting she is a seamstress from the city.
- Priscilla
Priscilla is timid and fearful of the storm, seeking Zenobia's protection. She knits a silk purse and is deeply affected by Zenobia's words, weeping when she overhears a scornful remark.
- Mr. Hollingsworth
Hollingsworth is withdrawn and taciturn, absorbed in his own thoughts about criminal reform. He shows little interest in the socialist scheme.
- Miles Coverdale
Coverdale observes the interactions, suggests 'Utopia' as a name, and falls ill with a cold, experiencing feverish dreams that foreshadow future events.
- Silas Foster
Silas Foster cobbles boots by the fire and later advises everyone to get to bed early, announcing the morning routine.
- Mrs. Foster
Mrs. Foster knits and falls asleep, yet continues knitting as if in a dream.
Key passages
“It was difficult to resist the impression that, cautiously as we had lowered our voices, she must have overheard and been wounded by Zenobia’s scornful estimate of her character and purposes.”
Despite their hushed tones, Coverdale felt Priscilla had heard Zenobia's harsh judgment and was hurt by it.
Highlights Priscilla's sensitivity and the tension in her relationship with Zenobia.
“She now produced, out of a workbag that she had with her, some little wooden instruments (what they are called I never knew), and proceeded to knit, or net, an article which ultimately took the shape of a silk purse.”
Priscilla took out small tools and began knitting a silk purse.
Introduces the symbolic purse that represents hidden openings and mystery.
“The sense of vast, undefined space, pressing from the outside against the black panes of our uncurtained windows, was fearful to the poor girl, heretofore accustomed to the narrowness of human limits, with the lamps of neighboring tenements glimmering across the street.”
Priscilla, used to city life, was frightened by the open, dark expanse outside the windows.
Emphasizes Priscilla's urban background and her fear of nature's vastness.
“I went shivering to my fireless chamber, with the miserable consciousness (which had been growing upon me for several hours past) that I had caught a tremendous cold, and should probably awaken, at the blast of the horn, a fit subject for a hospital.”
Coverdale went to his cold room, realizing he had caught a severe cold and would likely be ill by morning.
Sets up Coverdale's subsequent illness and feverish dreams.
