Chapter XXV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Corruption and Manipulation

  Theron manipulates Gorringe with insinuations about the flowers and Alice, and schemes to use Celia's wealth for his escape.

• Class and Social Mobility

  Theron's envy of the garden's cost and his reliance on Celia's riches reflect his preoccupation with social and financial advancement.

• Gender Roles and Sexuality

  Theron's condescending view of Celia's 'loose feminine notions' and his resentment of Alice's domestic role highlight gendered power dynamics.

Characters to notice

• Theron Ware

  Confronts Gorringe, feels insulted but regains composure; muses on leaving the ministry and depending on Celia's wealth; resents Alice.

• Levi Gorringe

  Confronts Theron, insults him as a 'poor creature' and accuses him of mistreating Alice; later expresses shock at Theron's meanness.

• Alice Ware

  Seen by Theron doing kitchen work; he recalls their strained companionship at camp-meeting and feels resentment toward her.

• Celia Madden

  Theron fantasizes about her wealth and protection, believing she will rescue him if he faces scandal.

Key passages

• “It wouldn't be worth any grown man's while to quarrel with so poor a creature as you are.”

  Gorringe tells Theron he is too contemptible to bother quarreling with.

  Gorringe's insult reflects his deep disdain for Theron's character.

• “Your form is to go round the corner and take it out of somebody weaker than yourself—a defenceless woman, for instance.”

  Gorringe accuses Theron of taking out his frustrations on Alice, who is defenseless.

  Gorringe implies Theron mistreats Alice, linking to the flower incident.

• “He's got a wife that's as pure and good as gold, and he knows it, and she worships the ground he walks on, and he knows that too. And yet the scoundrel is around trying to sniff out some shadow”

  Gorringe describes Alice as virtuous and devoted, while Theron is a scoundrel seeking to find fault with her.

  Gorringe's view contrasts sharply with Theron's resentment of Alice.

• “Was not Celia rich? Would she not with lightning swiftness draw forth that checkbook, like the flashing sword of a champion from its scabbard, and run to his relief?”

  Theron convinces himself that Celia's wealth will instantly solve his financial problems.

  Theron's fantasy reveals his growing dependence on Celia and his materialistic hopes.

• “Yes, Levi Gorringe paid for us!”

  Theron imagines the flowers mockingly declaring that Gorringe paid for them.

  Theron's bitter realization that the garden's beauty is a gift from his rival.