The Getting of Wisdom · Chapter
III explained
Laura travels alone by coach and train to boarding school in Melbourne.
What happens
Laura travels alone by coach and train to boarding school in Melbourne. She experiences a mix of pride, grief, and embarrassment during the journey, fending off the well-meaning but intrusive sympathy of strangers. Her daydreams of an idealized school life contrast sharply with the awkward reality of her arrival, where she feels self-conscious about her appearance and her overly eager greeting is met with cool nods.
Themes in this chapter
Class, Money, and Social Status
Laura's mother is perceived as 'stuck-up,' and Laura feels her clothes are not what they ought to be, highlighting class consciousness.
Imagination vs. Harsh Reality
Laura's idealized daydreams of school life contrast sharply with the awkward, self-conscious reality of her arrival.
Female Adolescence and Sexuality
Laura's embarrassment about her appearance and her sensitivity to being seen as childish or babyish reflect adolescent self-consciousness.
Characters to notice
- Laura Rambotham
Travels alone to boarding school, struggling with pride, grief, and self-consciousness.
- Pin
Bids Laura farewell, crying bitterly, and is left in charge of the younger children.
- Little Frank
Shows signs of crying as Laura departs.
- Miss Perrotet
Observed by Laura as they pass the Commercial Hotel; a red-haired girl who attended boarding school.
- Mrs. Paget
Stout landlady at the Royal Mail Hotel who comments on Laura traveling alone.
- Patrick O'Donnell
The driver who helps the children down and tries to cheer them up.
Key passages
“Mother doesn't care for us to take things from strangers.”
Laura politely refuses the apple, explaining that her mother forbids accepting gifts from strangers.
Laura's adherence to her mother's rules and her embarrassment at being treated like a child.
“She painted to herself, for the hundredth time, the new life towards which she was journeying, and, as always, in the brightest colours.”
Laura daydreams about an idealized version of school life, imagining herself as popular and admired.
Highlights the theme of imagination versus reality.
“Here were two thrusts to parry at once, and Laura's cheeks tingled.”
Laura feels embarrassed and defensive, believing the ladies on the platform laughed at her hat and that her greeting was too childish.
Laura's self-consciousness and sensitivity to social judgment upon arrival.