The Damnation of Theron Ware · Chapter
XXXII explained
Spring arrives as the Wares prepare to leave for Seattle.
What happens
Spring arrives as the Wares prepare to leave for Seattle. Alice reflects on the past year while Sister Soulsby comforts her. Brother Soulsby discusses Theron's new job in real estate. Theron daydreams about a political future, and the chapter ends with the carriage arriving for their departure.
Themes in this chapter
Alienation and Identity
Theron's departure from the ministry and his daydream of a new political identity reflect his search for self after the collapse of his former life.
Class and Social Mobility
The move to Seattle and Theron's new job in real estate represent a chance for social and economic reinvention.
Characters to notice
- Theron Ware
Recovered from illness, gaunt but healthy, daydreams about a political career in Seattle.
- Alice Ware
Dressed in black, wistfully recalls the previous spring, expresses gratitude to Sister Soulsby, and worries about Theron's future.
- Sister Soulsby
Comforts Alice, dismisses her fears, and advises her to stay cheerful and resolute.
- Brother Soulsby
Fills the breakfast with talk of Seattle's future and Theron's new job; has secured Theron a position as superintendent of a land and real estate company.
Key passages
“He was the very ideal of all a young minister should be. People used to simply worship him, he was such a perfect preacher, and so pure-minded and friendly with everybody, and threw himself into his work so. It was all that miserable, contemptible Octavius that did the mischief.”
Alice insists that Theron was once a model minister, beloved by all, and blames Octavius for his downfall.
Alice defends Theron's past character and attributes his decline to the corrupting influence of Octavius.
“If there hadn't been a screw loose somewhere, Octavius wouldn't have hurt him. No, take my word for it, he never was the right man for the place.”
Sister Soulsby argues that Theron's weakness was inherent, not caused by Octavius.
Sister Soulsby suggests that Theron's failure was due to a fundamental flaw in his character.
“He isn't going to be an angel of light, or a saint, or anything of that sort, and it's no good expecting it. But he'll be just an average kind of man—a little sore about some things, a little wiser than he was about some others.”
Sister Soulsby tells Alice that Theron will not be perfect, but will be an ordinary man with some scars and some wisdom.
Sister Soulsby advises Alice to accept Theron's limitations and not expect him to be a saint.