The Cords of Vanity · Chapter
VI explained
The narrator reflects on his dwindling correspondence with Bettie Hamlyn, who is caring for her dying mother in Colorado.
What happens
The narrator reflects on his dwindling correspondence with Bettie Hamlyn, who is caring for her dying mother in Colorado. Despite his reluctance, he continues to write to her on the 7th and 23rd of each month as she insisted, while devoting the rest of his time to Stella.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Its Disillusionments
The narrator's reluctant correspondence with Bettie and his wholehearted devotion to Stella suggest a tension between obligation and desire.
Vanity and Self-Deception
The narrator admits he hates writing letters but complies with Bettie's demand, possibly deceiving himself about his true feelings.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator writes reluctantly to Bettie Hamlyn and gives his time to Stella.
- Bettie Hamlyn
Bettie is in Colorado caring for her dying mother; she insists the narrator write to her regularly.
- Stella Musgrave
The narrator devotes most of his time to Stella.
Key passages
“One woman at least I was beginning to "let alone," in that I was writing Bettie Hamlyn letters which grew shorter and shorter.”
I was starting to neglect one woman, as my letters to Bettie Hamlyn became briefer.
The narrator acknowledges his waning attention to Bettie.
“So I wrote to Bettie Hamlyn on the seventh of every month—because that was her birthday—and again on the twenty-third, because that was mine.”
I wrote to Bettie on the 7th and 23rd of each month, dates tied to our birthdays.
The narrator maintains a mechanical schedule of correspondence.
“The rest of my time I gave wholeheartedly to Stella.”
I devoted all my remaining time and energy to Stella.
The narrator prioritizes Stella over Bettie.