IV: Troubled Waters explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love vs. Social Convention

  Kirk and Ruth's secret courtship defies social expectations, as Ruth's brother Bailey and others disapprove of their relationship, viewing it as improper and threatening to family honor.

• Class and Bohemianism

  The contrast between the Bannisters' wealthy, conventional lifestyle and Kirk's bohemian artist circle is highlighted, with Bailey viewing Kirk as a 'scrubby dauber' unworthy of his sister.

• Individualism vs. Interference

  Bailey's determination to control Ruth's choices and interfere in her relationship with Kirk clashes with Ruth's individual desires, while Mrs. Porter actively enables their independence.

Characters to notice

• Kirk Winfield

  Kirk is courting Ruth Bannister, causing changes in his behavior that puzzle his friends. He is irritable and distracted, and his secret meetings with Ruth are discovered by Percy Shanklyn.

• Ruth Bannister

  Ruth is spending time with Kirk in his studio, chaperoned by Mrs. Porter. Her brother Bailey disapproves of her association with Kirk and Mrs. Porter.

• Bailey Bannister

  Bailey is furious about Ruth's involvement with Kirk and blames Mrs. Porter. He decides to confront Kirk and stays away from the office to handle the matter.

• Mrs. Lora Delane Porter

  Mrs. Porter facilitates the meetings between Kirk and Ruth by occupying George Pennicut with exercises, leaving them alone. Bailey holds her responsible for the trouble.

• Percy Shanklyn

  Percy, an out-of-work actor, discovers Kirk with Ruth and plots to stop their relationship to protect his source of loans from Kirk.

• Steve Dingle

  Steve is the physical instructor in the Bannister household, a former boxer who now trains old Mr. Bannister and Bailey. He is conscientious and firm in his duties.

• George Pennicut

  George, now recovered, is forced by Mrs. Porter to perform daily exercises, groaning under her strict supervision.

• John Bannister

  Old Mr. Bannister is away from New York, leaving Bailey as temporary head of the firm. He follows Steve Dingle's exercise routine meekly.

Key passages

• “He held Mrs. Porter responsible for the whole trouble. But for her pernicious influence, Ruth would have been an ordinary sweet American girl, running as, Bailey held, a girl should, in a decent groove.”

  Bailey blamed Mrs. Porter entirely, believing that without her harmful influence, Ruth would have been a typical, well-behaved American girl following a proper path.

  Bailey's traditional views on how a woman should behave are contrasted with Mrs. Porter's progressive influence.

• “It would be his privilege very shortly to read that scrubby dauber a lesson in deportment which he would remember.”

  Bailey planned to soon teach that insignificant artist a memorable lesson in proper behavior.

  Bailey's contempt for Kirk is evident, viewing him as a lowly artist unworthy of his sister.

• “Steve's mother was an old lady who in her day had been the best washerwoman on Cherry Hill. She was, moreover, completely lacking in all the qualities which go to make up the patroness of sport.”

  Steve's mother, once a top washerwoman, had no appreciation for sports, which led to Steve quitting boxing after she made him promise to stop.

  This background explains Steve's transition from boxer to physical instructor, highlighting his mother's influence.

• “Many years of living by his wits had developed in Percy highly sensitive powers of observation.”

  Percy's survival through cunning had sharpened his ability to notice details and read situations.

  Percy's parasitic lifestyle has honed his observational skills, allowing him to deduce Kirk's relationship with Ruth.