# XXIX: Of Poetic Love: Treated with Poetic Inefficiency explained — The Cream of the Jest

> Chapter companion for The Cream of the Jest by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Kennaston reflects on his dreams as a form of romantic art, where he experiences love for Ettarre in a way he never could in waking life. He contrasts this with his past affairs with married women, which left him emotionally unfulfilled. The chapter culminates in a chance encounter with Muriel Allardyce at the train station, where he momentarily mistakes her for Ettarre but ultimately rejects her plea to run away together, returning to his wife Kathleen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Idealization

Kennaston's love for Ettarre is idealized and unattainable, contrasting with his disappointing real-life affairs.

### Dream vs. Reality

Kennaston finds emotional fulfillment in dreams but remains disillusioned with waking relationships.

### Disillusionment and Cynicism

Kennaston's past affairs leave him feeling empty; he views love as sustained by hunger rather than satisfaction.

## Character check-ins

### Felix Kennaston

Reflects on his dreams of loving Ettarre, his past affairs, and encounters Muriel Allardyce at the train station.

### La Beale Ettarre

The object of Kennaston's idealized love in his dreams; he momentarily sees her in Muriel's face.

### Muriel Allardyce

Kennaston's former lover, encountered at the train station; she pleads with him to come away with her.

### Mrs. Kennaston

Kathleen, Kennaston's wife, returns from the South; he meets her train and receives her cool kiss.

### Margaret Hugonin

Mentioned among Kennaston's past loves; he recalls being initially attracted by her money.

### Avis Blagden

Muriel's friend, seen approaching at the train station.

## Key lines

> Love must look toward something not quite accessible, something not quite understood

Love requires an element of mystery and unattainability.

_Kennaston reflects on why he can only love Ettarre in dreams._

> love did not live, as lovers do, by feeding; but, paradoxically, got strength by hungering

Love thrives on longing rather than satisfaction.

_Kennaston's cynical view of love based on his experiences._

> It was the cream of some supernal jest that he might not touch Ettarre; that done, though but by accident, the dream ended

The cosmic joke is that touching Ettarre ends the dream.

_Explains the rule of Kennaston's dream world._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters/xxix-of-poetic-love-treated-with-poetic-inefficiency
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters