The Cream of the Jest · Chapter
IX: Beyond Use and Wont Fares the Road to Storisende explained
Kennaston dines alone with his wife and reflects on his past literary attempts before immersing himself in writing 'Men Who Loved Alison.' He becomes absorbed in the life of Horvendile, the fictional narrator, finding the dream world more r
What happens
Kennaston dines alone with his wife and reflects on his past literary attempts before immersing himself in writing 'Men Who Loved Alison.' He becomes absorbed in the life of Horvendile, the fictional narrator, finding the dream world more real than his waking life. The chapter explores Kennaston's inadequacy as a person and the disconnect between his inner life and how others perceive him.
Themes in this chapter
Dream vs. Reality
Kennaston finds the life he writes of more real and vital than his actual existence, blending his identity with Horvendile's.
The Power of Storytelling
The act of writing transforms Kennaston's perception, making the fictional world seem more authentic than daily life.
Disillusionment and Cynicism
The narrator expresses distrust and dislike for Kennaston, viewing him as inadequate and shirking life.
Characters to notice
- Felix Kennaston
Immerses himself in writing 'Men Who Loved Alison,' living the life of Horvendile and finding the dream world more real than his waking life.
- Mrs. Kennaston
Dines alone with Kennaston; they share a taciturn meal and discuss only small daily happenings.
- Kathleen Saumarez
Mentioned as the woman Kennaston married after Margaret Hugonin; she is the subject of Marian Winwood's revenge publication.
- Horvendile
The fictitious first writer of the chronicle; Kennaston lives his life while writing, blending his existence with Horvendile's.
- Margaret Hugonin
Mentioned as the heiress Kennaston nearly married; she paid for the printing of his early works.
Key passages
“he had determined in this story lovingly to deal with an epoch and a society, and even a geography, whose comeliness had escaped the wear-and-tear of ever actually existing.”
He decided to write about a time, society, and place that had never really existed, so their beauty remained unspoiled.
Kennaston's intention to create a fictional world free from reality's imperfections.
“the life he wrote of came to seem to Felix Kennaston more real, and far more vital, than the life his body was shuffling through aimlessly.”
The fictional life he wrote about felt more genuine and lively than his own aimless daily existence.
Kennaston's growing preference for his imaginative world over reality.
“the man I knew in the flesh was but a very ill-drawn likeness of Felix Kennaston.”
The person I saw in real life was only a poor representation of the true Felix Kennaston.
The narrator's realization that Kennaston's outer self misrepresents his inner self.