The Getting of Wisdom · Chapter
XI explained
Laura's friendship with Lilith Gordon deepens despite her distrust, leading her to foolishly reveal that her mother works for a living.
What happens
Laura's friendship with Lilith Gordon deepens despite her distrust, leading her to foolishly reveal that her mother works for a living. When Lilith is later mocked for her uncle's trade, Laura joins in the ridicule, only to be threatened by Lilith with exposure of her secret. Laura lives in fear of being ostracized, and the governesses notice her changed behavior.
Themes in this chapter
Class, Money, and Social Status
Laura's fear of being exposed as the daughter of a working mother highlights the intense social stigma attached to trade and women's labor.
Truth, Lies, and Self-Deception
Laura's secret about her mother's work and her subsequent lies to maintain social standing illustrate the theme of deception.
Friendship and the Desire for Belonging
Laura's uneasy friendship with Lilith and her desperate need to fit in drive her actions and fears.
Characters to notice
- Laura Rambotham
Foolishly confides her mother's work to Lilith, then joins in mocking Lilith's uncle, only to be threatened with exposure.
- Lilith Gordon
Manipulative friend who extracts Laura's secret and later threatens to reveal it when Laura mocks her.
- Lucy
Saucy girl from Toorak who mocks Lilith for her uncle owning a newspaper.
- Miss Snodgrass
Governess who confiscates a book from Laura and complains about her behavior.
- Miss Chapman
Gentle governess who defends Laura and dreams of having her own room.
- Miss Zielinski
Governess caught reading Ouida and crying, teased by Miss Snodgrass.
Key passages
“In a moment of weakness, she gratuitously gave away the secret that Mother supported her family by the work of her hands.”
Laura impulsively revealed that her mother earned money through needlework.
This confession becomes a source of blackmail for Lilith.
“Laura had at first looked passively on, well pleased to see another than herself the butt of young Lucy's wit. But at this stage of her existence she was too intent on currying favour, to side with any but the stronger party.”
Laura initially enjoyed watching Lilith be mocked, but then joined in to ingratiate herself with the popular girls.
Laura's social anxiety leads her to betray her friend.
“From this night on, Lilith Gordon represented a powder-mine, which might explode at any minute. And she herself had laid the train!”
Laura now saw Lilith as a constant threat, and realized she had caused the danger herself.
Laura lives in fear of exposure after her careless confidence.