# Past Storisende Fares the Road of Use and Wont explained — The Cream of the Jest

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

## What happens

Felix Kennaston reflects on his life after publishing 'The Tinctured Veil,' having written no more books. He and Mrs. Kennaston continue their social duties, and he outwardly expresses contentment with his comfortable life. The chapter delves into the inevitable disillusionment of marriage, contrasting the idealized love of courtship with the mundane realities of married life, and suggests that a certain mystery remains between spouses.

## Themes in this chapter

### Disillusionment and Cynicism

The narrator explores the inevitable disillusionment of marriage, contrasting romantic ideals with mundane realities.

### Love and Idealization

The chapter discusses how love is idealized before marriage but fades into routine, with only memories of a 'high-pitched outing.'

### The Search for Meaning

Kennaston questions whether he is content, and the narrator reflects on the deeper significance of life beyond daily routines.

## Character check-ins

### Felix Kennaston

Reflects on his literary career and married life, expressing a mix of contentment and wistfulness.

### Mrs. Kennaston

Continues her social duties alongside Felix; remains a 'not unfriendly mystery' to him.

### Dick Harrowby

Addressed by Kennaston in a defensive reply about his contentment.

## Key lines

> Who wins his love must lose her

The one who gains love is destined to lose it.

_A poetic assertion about the transient nature of love, especially in marriage._

> For your true right tragedy is enacted on the stage of a man’s soul, with the man’s reason as lone auditor.

True tragedy occurs internally, within a person's soul, witnessed only by their own reason.

_Defines the nature of tragedy as an inner, personal experience rather than external events._

> the way of flesh is not a futile scurrying through dining-rooms and offices and shops and parlors, and thronged streets and restaurants, 'and so to bed.'

Human existence is not merely a meaningless rush through daily activities and routines.

_Suggests that life has deeper meaning beyond mundane tasks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters/xxxix-past-storisende-fares-the-road-of-use-and-wont
- 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