XXXVIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Betrayal

  Aileen's love for Cowperwood drives her to defy her family, while her father feels betrayed by her relationship.

• Class and Social Mobility

  The contrast between the wealthy Butler family and the modest Calligan household highlights class differences and Aileen's potential fall in status.

• Deception and Self-Justification

  Aileen and Cowperwood rationalize their actions, with Aileen believing her father will not harm her publicly and Cowperwood considering secret communication.

Characters to notice

• Aileen Butler

  Determined to stay with Cowperwood despite her father's opposition; plans to run away but delays to visit the Steinmetzes; considers refuge with the Calligans.

• Frank Algernon Cowperwood

  Provides Aileen with money and reassures her of his love; feels burdened but unwilling to give her up; hopes the crisis will blow over.

• Edward Malia Butler

  Aileen's father, who opposes her relationship with Cowperwood; relieved by Aileen's decision to visit the Steinmetzes.

• Mamie Calligan

  Aileen's friend and potential refuge; a dutiful, serious-minded teacher living with her mother in modest circumstances.

• Mrs. Katharine Calligan

  Mamie's mother, a dressmaker; takes an adoring interest in Aileen and provides a potential hiding place.

Key passages

• ““Here’s two hundred dollars, sweet,” he said, “until I see or hear from you. I’ll see that you have whatever you need; and now don’t think that I don’t love you. You know I do. I’m crazy about you.””

  Cowperwood gives Aileen two hundred dollars, assuring her of his love and promising to provide for her needs.

  Demonstrates Cowperwood's financial support and emotional reassurance to Aileen during their crisis.

• “She had her Frank to fall back on⁠—she would teach her father. Cowperwood shook his head, following her with his eyes. She represented an additional burden, but give her up, he certainly could not.”

  Aileen feels secure in Cowperwood's love and intends to defy her father, while Cowperwood sees her as a burden he cannot abandon.

  Highlights the tension between Aileen's confidence and Cowperwood's sense of obligation and risk.

• “To Mamie Calligan duty (a routine conformity to such theories and precepts as she had heard and worked by since her childhood) was the all-important thing, her principal source of comfort and relief; her props in a queer and uncertain world being her duty to her Church; her duty to her school; her duty to her mother; her duty to her friends, etc.”

  Mamie Calligan's life is governed by a strict sense of duty to her church, school, mother, and friends, which provides her comfort and stability.

  Illustrates Mamie's character as a contrast to Aileen's rebellious nature.