# VI explained — The Cords of Vanity

> Chapter companion for The Cords of Vanity by James Branch Cabell.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters