The Cords of Vanity · Chapter
He Revisits Fairhaven and the Play explained
The narrator returns to Willoughby Hall in Fairhaven, feeling older and detached from his former life.
What happens
The narrator returns to Willoughby Hall in Fairhaven, feeling older and detached from his former life. He misses Bettie Hamlyn, who is in Colorado, and spends time with the Charteris house-party, where he is treated as 'the Child in the House.' Charteris takes him to see a performance of Romeo and Juliet, where the narrator is captivated by the actress playing Juliet. After the play, he encounters Mrs. Rabbet and later tries to slip away from Charteris under a pretext, but Charteris sees through his ruse and leaves him with a warning.
Themes in this chapter
Artistic Identity and Escapism
The narrator enjoys being treated as 'the Child in the House' and exaggerates his boyishness, while Charteris studies him for literary material.
Romantic Idealism vs. Reality
The narrator is infatuated with the actress's beauty and voice, dismissing Charteris's critique of her lack of temperament, showing his romantic idealism.
Time, Memory, and Regret
The narrator feels older and reflects on how much has changed since his student days, noting the unchanged townsfolk and the empty Hamlyn house.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
Returns to Fairhaven, feels older and blighted, enjoys being petted by the Charteris party, and is infatuated with the actress playing Juliet.
- Bettie Hamlyn
Absent in Colorado with her dying mother; the narrator writes to her monthly and considers her one of only three sorts of humanity.
- John Charteris
Hosts the house-party at Willoughby Hall, studies the narrator as potential 'copy,' and accompanies him to the play; he sees through the narrator's attempt to leave him.
- Mrs. Charteris
Part of the house-party; she is different from the others and pampers the narrator.
- Alicia Wade
Nicknames the narrator 'the Child in the House.'
- Mrs. Adrian Rabbet
Engages the narrator in a long monologue about Shakespeare and moral dramas after the play.
- Colonel Snawley
Seen sitting before Clarriker's Emporium, unchanged from the narrator's student days.
- Dr. Jeal
Seen sitting before Clarriker's Emporium, unchanged from the narrator's student days.
Key passages
“I have found in the world but three sorts of humanity—'Myself, and Bettie Hamlyn, and the other people.'”
The narrator believes there are only three kinds of people: himself, Bettie Hamlyn, and everyone else.
Expresses the narrator's deep connection to Bettie and his sense of alienation from others.
“The empty house confronted me too blankly, with its tight-shuttered windows, like blind eyes, and I hurried by.”
The narrator avoids the Hamlyn house because its shuttered windows remind him of blind eyes, making him uncomfortable.
Highlights the narrator's emotional response to Bettie's absence and the passage of time.
“By Jove! ... She's a stunner! ... And who would have thought it! Good Lord, who would have thought it!”
The narrator is amazed by the actress's beauty and performance, exclaiming in excitement.
Shows the narrator's immediate and intense infatuation with the actress.
“I prefer it, oh, yes, I really prefer it. So much milder and more wholesome, you know. I never smoke any other sort.”
The narrator lies to Charteris about preferring cheap cigarettes as an excuse to go back alone.
Reveals the narrator's deceptive attempt to slip away from Charteris.
