XIX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Beauty and Aesthetic Worship

  The sunset cloud's rosy glow and its reflection on the water provide a moment of transcendent beauty that renews Martial's will to live.

• Love and Idealization

  Martial's vision of Felise in the rosy cloud represents his idealized love, which gives him the strength to continue the rescue.

Characters to notice

• Martial Barnard

  Rescues Mary Shaw from the well, nearly drowning; experiences a vision of Felise and a sunset cloud that renews his strength.

• Mary Shaw

  Falls into the well; rescued by Martial but dies after giving birth to a premature child.

• Felise Goring

  Appears to Martial in a vision during his struggle in the well, inspiring him to continue.

Key passages

• “The marvellous intellect of the great Julius Caesar exercised the most extraordinary power over the men with whom he was surrounded, insomuch that nothing was too much for them, no danger too great, no fatigue too prolonged, no rapidity of movement too trying.”

  Julius Caesar's brilliant mind inspired his men to endure any hardship, but once separated from him, they became sluggish and unresponsive.

  This historical analogy underscores the theme of strong leadership versus the inertia of ordinary minds.

• “Suddenly a glow of lovely light poured down into the darksome pit, a delicate rosy brilliance gleaming on the ripples of his progress, tinting the white chalk walls.”

  A beautiful rosy light suddenly illuminated the dark well, reflecting off the water and the chalk walls.

  This moment of natural beauty provides a turning point in Martial's struggle.

• “Felise appeared to his mind in the glow of the rosy cloud. Till that moment, absorbed in the struggle, he had not thought of her. She came to him with the light.”

  Martial suddenly thought of Felise as the rosy cloud appeared; her image gave him renewed hope and strength.

  Felise's idealized presence in Martial's mind serves as a catalyst for his survival.