The Coming of Bill · Chapter
I: A Pawn of Fate explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Lora Delane Porter, a eugenics-obsessed writer, takes her daily drive and accidentally runs over George Pennicut. She meets Kirk Winfield, an artist, and after questioning him about his health and heredity, decides he should marry her niece, Ruth Bannister.
Themes in this chapter
Eugenics and Heredity
Mrs. Porter's obsession with heredity and the future of the race is central; she questions Kirk about his family health and decides he should marry Ruth for eugenic purposes.
Class and Bohemianism
Kirk is an artist with a private income, living in a studio with a servant, representing a bohemian yet comfortable lifestyle.
Individualism vs. Interference
Mrs. Porter's interference in Ruth's life and her plan to control Kirk's marriage contrasts with Kirk's independent, carefree attitude.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Lora Delane Porter
Introduced as a strong-minded eugenicist and author; she runs over George Pennicut and later decides Kirk Winfield should marry her niece Ruth.
- Kirk Winfield
An artist with a private income; he meets Mrs. Porter after she injures his servant, and she questions him about his health and heredity.
- George Pennicut
Kirk's servant with red hair; he is run over by Mrs. Porter's car and later describes her as 'a hawful woman.'
- Ruth Bannister
Mentioned as Mrs. Porter's niece and disciple; she was previously persuaded to refuse Basil Milbank.
- Bailey Bannister
Ruth's brother; he dislikes and suspects Mrs. Porter, who calls him a worm.
- Basil Milbank
Mentioned as a young man Ruth was persuaded to reject because his father believed he was a teapot.
Key passages
“She subpoenaed grandfathers and even great-grandfathers to give evidence to show that the reason Twentieth-Century Willie squinted or had to spend his winters in Arizona was their own shocking health way back in the days beyond recall.”
She blamed modern problems on ancestors, arguing that poor health in past generations caused defects in the present.
Illustrates Mrs. Porter's extreme hereditarian views.
“I have decided that he shall marry my dear Ruth. They will make a magnificent pair.”
She resolved that Kirk would marry Ruth, believing they would produce superior offspring.
Shows Mrs. Porter's eugenic matchmaking plan.