# He Calls, and Counsels, and Considers explained — The Cords of Vanity

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

## What happens

The narrator reflects on his love for Avis Beechinor while philosophizing about marriage, companionship, and the nature of love. He takes a walk through Fairhaven, engaging in trivial conversations with locals, and returns home to Bettie, who accuses him of bringing his book to life. The chapter ends with the narrator content but uncertain about what he truly wants.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Its Disillusionments

The narrator deconstructs romantic love, arguing that marriage based on love alone is illogical and that lifelong companionship requires compatibility over passion.

### Artistic Identity and Escapism

The narrator's book is described as coming alive, and he seeks to leave a meaningful expression of himself, while Bettie laments that he has become something other than her 'boy.'

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator meditates on love and marriage, takes a walk through Fairhaven, and interacts with Bettie.

### Avis Beechinor

The narrator declares his love for Avis but questions the wisdom of marrying her.

### Bettie Hamlyn

Bettie confronts the narrator about his book coming alive and expresses her feelings about his transformation.

### Robert Etheridge Townsend

The narrator reflects on his own identity and desire to leave a lasting legacy.

## Key lines

> I love Avis Beechinor. But I have loved, in all sincerity, many other women, and I rejoice today, unfeignedly, that I never married any of them.

The narrator admits he loves Avis but is glad he never married his previous loves.

_Reflects his skepticism about marriage and lifelong commitment._

> For marriage means a lifelong companionship, a long, long journey wherein must be adjusted, one by one, each tiniest discrepancy between the fellow-wayfarers; and always a pebble if near enough to the eye will obscure a mountain.

Marriage requires constant adjustment of small differences, which can become overwhelming.

_Highlights the theme of love and its disillusionments._

> I want to leave behind some not inadequate expression of Robert Etheridge Townsend, and I do not care at all what people say of it, so that it is here when I am gone.

He wants to create a lasting legacy that reflects who he is, regardless of others' opinions.

_Connects to artistic identity and the desire for significance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvii-he-calls-and-counsels-and-considers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters