# VI explained — The Enchanted April

> Chapter companion for The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim.

## What happens

The women arrive at San Salvatore and begin to settle in. Lady Caroline has already arrived and chosen her room, asserting her independence. Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot are struck by the beauty of the place and by Lady Caroline's appearance, leading to a complex interaction about independence, admiration, and the desire for escape. Mrs. Wilkins expresses a sense of wonder and spiritual contentment, while Mrs. Arbuthnot finds a rare happiness free from her usual anxieties.

## Themes in this chapter

### Escape and Renewal

Lady Caroline seeks 'complete escape' from her former life, while Mrs. Arbuthnot finds a new, simple happiness free from her past pain.

### Beauty and Nature

The chapter dwells on the beauty of San Salvatore, the Judas tree, and the garden, with Mrs. Wilkins experiencing a 'heavenly vision' and Mrs. Arbuthnot feeling in 'complete harmony with her surroundings.'

### Female Friendship and Solidarity

Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot share a close, supportive bond, walking arm in arm and sharing their wonder, while Lady Caroline remains more guarded.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Wilkins

Expresses awe at the beauty of San Salvatore and the Judas tree, feels a sense of divine presence, and bluntly admires Lady Caroline's beauty.

### Mrs. Arbuthnot

Wakes up feeling secure and happy for the first time in years, without dreaming of Frederick, and shares a moment of harmony with Mrs. Wilkins.

### Scrap

Has already arrived and chosen her room, asserting her independence. She is wary of being 'dogged' by the others and seeks complete escape from her previous life.

### Mrs. Fisher

Mentioned as having traveled with Lady Caroline despite both wanting to arrive first; her presence is a source of mild tension.

## Key lines

> It’s a good thing, of course,” said Mrs. Arbuthnot a little hesitatingly, “to be independent, and to know exactly what one wants.” “Yes, it saves trouble,” agreed Lady Caroline. “But one shouldn’t be so independent,” said Mrs. Wilkins, “as to leave no opportunity for other people to exercise their benevolences on one.

Mrs. Arbuthnot cautiously praises independence, Lady Caroline agrees it's efficient, but Mrs. Wilkins argues that too much independence prevents others from being kind.

_This exchange highlights differing views on self-reliance versus community and generosity._

> What she wanted of this holiday was complete escape from all she had had before, she wanted the rest of complete contrast.

Lady Caroline's goal for the holiday is to entirely leave behind her past life and experience something completely different.

_Reveals Lady Caroline's deep desire for renewal and escape from her usual social pressures._

> She had never been in definitely, completely beautiful places. She had never been even in a venerable house; and such a thing as a profusion of flowers in her rooms was unattainable to her.

Mrs. Wilkins had never before experienced such sustained beauty or lived in an old, grand house, and having many flowers in her room was a luxury she couldn't afford.

_Illustrates the contrast between Mrs. Wilkins's constrained previous life and the abundance of San Salvatore._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_enchanted_april_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_enchanted_april_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_enchanted_april_se/chapters