# XII explained — The Enchanted April

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

## What happens

The four women discuss inviting guests to San Salvatore, with Mrs. Wilkins wanting to bring her husband Mellersh, leading to tensions about propriety and bedroom arrangements. Mrs. Fisher, disapproving of the idea, decides to invite her friend Kate Lumley to maintain propriety and avoid isolation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Money

Mrs. Fisher's concern with propriety and her plan to invite Kate Lumley, who is on the fringe of society, highlight class distinctions and the importance of social standing.

### Female Friendship and Solidarity

The women's interactions reveal tensions and alliances, with Mrs. Fisher seeking support from Kate Lumley to avoid spiritual isolation.

### Love and Marriage

Mrs. Wilkins' desire to invite her husband Mellersh and her reflections on married sleep and freedom explore the complexities of marital relationships.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Fisher

Disapproves of the conversation and Mrs. Wilkins' plan to invite her husband; decides to invite Kate Lumley to regularize the situation.

### Mrs. Wilkins

Wants to invite her husband Mellersh, feeling a need to share her happiness; becomes uneasy about the bedroom arrangements.

### Mrs. Arbuthnot

Embarrassed by Mrs. Wilkins' tactless remarks about inviting husbands; shares Mrs. Fisher's disapproval.

### Scrap

Engages in candid conversation with Mrs. Wilkins, supports her plan, and shows indifference to social conventions.

### Costanza

Takes charge of dinner preparations in the absence of a clear mistress, making it very good.

## Key lines

> You see, we arranged, didn't we, in London that if any of us wanted to we could each invite one guest. So now I'm doing it.

Mrs. Wilkins reminds the group of their agreement to invite guests and announces her intention to do so.

_She asserts her right to invite her husband, Mellersh._

> It's a divine feeling, getting rid of things... But in a bitter wind to have nothing on and know there never will be anything on and you going to get colder and colder till at last you die of it—that's what it was like, living with somebody who didn't love one.

Lady Caroline and Mrs. Wilkins discuss the liberating feeling of shedding burdens, contrasting it with the cold misery of an unloving marriage.

_Mrs. Wilkins reveals her past unhappiness with Mellersh._

> I have a friend... Kate Lumley. I wish to invite her to join me.

Mrs. Fisher announces her plan to invite Kate Lumley to San Salvatore.

_She aims to regularize the situation and avoid isolation._

## Links

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