The Cream of the Jest · Chapter
VII: Journey's End: With the Customary Unmasking explained
Horvendile reveals himself as the creator of the dream world of Storisende, confessing to Sir Guiron and Ettarre that he is a writer of romances from another country and that they are characters in his tale.
What happens
Horvendile reveals himself as the creator of the dream world of Storisende, confessing to Sir Guiron and Ettarre that he is a writer of romances from another country and that they are characters in his tale. After Maugis's death, Horvendile bids farewell, gives Ettarre half the sigil of Scoteia, and departs, leaving Guiron and Ettarre together.
Themes in this chapter
Dream vs. Reality
Horvendile reveals that Storisende and its inhabitants are merely his dream, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
The Power of Storytelling
Horvendile's confession that he is the author of the romance highlights the creative power of storytelling and the relationship between creator and creation.
Love and Idealization
Horvendile's love for Ettarre is portrayed as an idealized fantasy, and he acknowledges that he is in love with fantasies.
Characters to notice
- Horvendile
Reveals himself as the writer who created the romance, confesses his love for Ettarre, and departs Storisende forever.
- La Beale Ettarre
Receives the half sigil from Horvendile and reunites with Guiron after Maugis's death.
- Sir Guiron des Rocques
Forgives Horvendile despite his treachery, allowing him to escape, and reunites with Ettarre.
- Maugis d'Aigremont
Found dead, slain by Horvendile.
Key passages
“There is no woman like you in my country, Ettarre. I can find no woman anywhere resembling you whom dreams alone may win to.”
Horvendile tells Ettarre that no woman in his own world compares to her, and that only through dreams can he find someone like her.
Horvendile expresses his idealized love for Ettarre.
“I am that writer of romance. This room, this castle, all the broad rolling countryside without, is but a portion of my dream, and these places have no existence save in my fancies.”
Horvendile reveals that he is the author who created the story, and that the entire setting is a product of his imagination.
Horvendile's unmasking as the creator of the dream world.
“It may be the very cream of the jest that my country is no more real than Storisende. How could I judge if I, too, were a puppet?”
Horvendile speculates that his own world might be as unreal as the one he created, questioning whether he himself is a character in a larger dream.
Horvendile reflects on the nature of reality and his own existence.