The Getting of Wisdom · Chapter
IX explained
Laura returns to school after a disappointing holiday at Godmother's, feeling relieved to be back.
What happens
Laura returns to school after a disappointing holiday at Godmother's, feeling relieved to be back. She receives a scolding letter from her mother for her lack of gratitude. Laura forms a friendship with Inez and Bertha, gaining social comfort, but also becomes complacent. A geography lesson with Miss Hicks sparks a painful self-awareness about her intellectual laziness, leading her to try to cultivate genuine curiosity. However, her efforts to impress during a visit to Mr. Strachey's drawing room backfire: she makes a tactless remark about a portrait of Dante, is humiliated by Mrs. Gurley, and is ostracized by her peers for perceived arrogance.
Themes in this chapter
Education and the Nature of Wisdom
Laura grapples with the difference between superficial cleverness and genuine intellectual curiosity, spurred by Miss Hicks's critique of the 'woman's brain.'
Social Conformity vs. Individuality
Laura's attempt to display her musical talent and her bold question about the painting violate unspoken school codes, leading to ostracism and reinforcing the pressure to conform.
Truth, Lies, and Self-Deception
Laura deceives herself about her own cleverness until Miss Hicks's words force a painful self-awareness; she also hides the full truth of her holiday from her mother.
Characters to notice
- Laura Rambotham
Returns to school feeling glad to be back; receives a scolding letter from Mother; forms a friendship with Inez and Bertha; experiences a crisis of intellectual confidence after Miss Hicks's criticism; attempts to improve but fails during a visit to Mr. Strachey, leading to humiliation and social setback.
- Inez
Laura's new friend, described as pretty, lazy, and fully developed; becomes the target of Miss Hicks's biting criticism about having a 'woman's brain.'
- Bertha Ramsay
Laura's other new friend, a good-natured romp; together with Inez, forms a trio that gives Laura social comfort.
- Mother
Writes a scolding letter to Laura, accusing her of ingratitude and urging her to be good and useful rather than clever.
- Miss Hicks
Visiting geography governess who delivers a harsh critique of Inez's intellectual laziness, which Laura internalizes as a personal revelation.
- Lilith Gordon
Resents Laura for offering to accompany her song; spreads the story of Laura's faux pas at Mr. Strachey's, contributing to Laura's social downfall.
Key passages
“You're a very ungrateful girl to forget all Godmother has done for you.”
Mother scolds Laura for not appreciating Godmother's generosity.
Mother's letter reflects her expectations of gratitude and her prioritization of usefulness over cleverness.
“Vague, slippery, inexact, interested only in the personal aspect of a thing.”
Miss Hicks describes Inez's mind as typically feminine and intellectually shallow.
Laura applies this critique to herself, sparking a crisis of confidence and a resolve to improve.
“He wrote a book, didn't he, called Faust?”
Laura mistakenly attributes Faust to Dante while trying to appear knowledgeable.
This gaffe leads to her humiliation and social punishment at school.