The Coming of Bill · Chapter
VI: The Outcasts explained
Kirk Winfield, after three months of social life on Fifth Avenue, resolves to resume painting and hires the erratic but talented artist Robert Dwight Penway as his teacher.
What happens
Kirk Winfield, after three months of social life on Fifth Avenue, resolves to resume painting and hires the erratic but talented artist Robert Dwight Penway as his teacher. Under Penway's critical guidance, Kirk works hard and begins to improve, but his dedication to art widens the emotional gap between him and Ruth. Steve Dingle suggests that Kirk take their son Bill away to Connecticut to jolt Ruth out of her society obsession, but Kirk refuses, fearing Ruth would never forgive him.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Authenticity
Kirk's struggle to become a genuine artist under Penway's harsh criticism contrasts with his earlier amateurish work, highlighting the theme of artistic authenticity.
Marriage and Companionship
The growing emotional distance between Kirk and Ruth, as their lives diverge due to Kirk's art and Ruth's social engagements, underscores the theme of marriage and companionship.
Parenthood and Child Rearing
Steve's suggestion to take Bill away to the country raises questions about parental influence and the child's upbringing, central to the theme of parenthood.
Characters to notice
- Kirk Winfield
Resumes painting under Penway's tutelage, feeling apathetic toward Ruth and focusing on his art.
- Robert Dwight Penway
Hired as Kirk's art teacher; he is a talented but erratic ex-artist who criticizes Kirk's old work and guides his improvement.
- Ruth Bannister
Drifts further from Kirk, absorbed in society life; she makes only perfunctory protests about his studio work.
- Steve Dingle
Serves as a model for Kirk's advertisement drawing and suggests taking Bill to Connecticut to jolt Ruth.
- William Bannister Winfield
Mentioned as the child being raised in a 'white-tile' environment; Steve wants to take him to the country.
Key passages
“Burn them! Burn the lot. They're awful. Darned amateur nightmares. They offend the eye. Cast them into a burning fiery furnace.”
Penway tells Kirk to destroy all his old paintings, calling them terrible amateurish works that are painful to look at.
Penway's brutal critique marks a turning point in Kirk's artistic development.
“Why don't you sneak the kid away somewhere? Why don't you go right in at them and say: 'It's my kid, and I'm going to take him away into the country out of all this white-tile stuff and let him roll in the mud same as he used to.'”
Steve suggests that Kirk should take Bill away to their Connecticut shack to give him a natural upbringing away from the sterile city environment.
Steve's advice reflects his belief that a drastic action could jolt Ruth out of her society obsession.
“Well, if you want it in plain English, Ruth would never forgive me. Is that clear enough?”
Kirk explains that taking Bill away without Ruth's consent would destroy their relationship, as she would not forgive such an act.
Kirk's refusal highlights his adherence to social rules and his fear of losing Ruth entirely.