# XVIII explained — The Getting of Wisdom

> Chapter companion for The Getting of Wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson.

## What happens

Laura's elaborate lies about a romance with the curate Mr. Shepherd are exposed, leading to her ostracization by her peers. She is humiliated, called a 'lying sneak,' and shunned by former friends like Maria, Kate Horner, and Tilly Macnamara. The chapter details her fall from grace, her desperate attempts to avoid exposure, and her isolation as she faces the consequences of her fabrications.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth, Lies, and Self-Deception

Laura's elaborate lies about a romance with Mr. Shepherd are exposed, leading to her social ruin. The chapter explores the consequences of deception and the way lies can take on a life of their own, as Laura begins to believe her own fabrications.

### Friendship and the Desire for Belonging

Laura's desperate need for admiration and belonging drives her to fabricate stories. Her fall from grace results in complete ostracization, highlighting the fragility of social bonds and the pain of rejection.

### Female Adolescence and Sexuality

Laura's invented narrative of a 'frustrated attempt on her virtue' reflects her grappling with adolescent sexuality and the social pressures surrounding female purity, influenced by her reading of 'Pamela.'

## Character check-ins

### Laura Rambotham

Laura is the central figure whose lies about a romance with Mr. Shepherd are exposed, leading to her social downfall and intense shame.

### Maria Morell

Maria is one of Laura's accusers, calling her a 'vile little liar' and a 'dirty little skunk,' and leading the condemnation.

### Tilly Macnamara

Tilly expresses bitter disdain for Laura, mocking her shyness and claiming she was a fool to believe Laura's stories.

### Kate Horner

Kate joins Maria in condemning Laura, suggesting she should be expelled and her bottom smacked.

### Chinky

Chinky attempts to comfort Laura but is rebuffed; she humbly withdraws after Laura's harsh response.

### Evelyn Souttar

Evelyn, a pretty girl with twinkling brown eyes, shows a rare moment of kindness, calling Laura 'Poor little Kiddy' before turning away.

## Key lines

> You wretched little lying sneak!

Laura is harshly accused by her peers after her lies are exposed.

_This marks the moment of public condemnation following the revelation of her fabricated romance._

> I was a dashed fool ever to believe a word. I might have known her little game.

Tilly expresses regret and anger at having trusted Laura's stories.

_Tilly's bitterness underscores the betrayal felt by Laura's friends._

> What they could not forgive, or get over, was the extraordinary circumstantiality of the fictions which with she had gulled them

The other girls were more shocked by the detailed nature of Laura's lies than by the lies themselves.

_This explains why Laura's peers treated her as a criminal rather than forgiving a simple falsehood._

> I don't know . They just came.

Laura admits she cannot explain why she told such elaborate lies.

_This moment of self-reflection shows Laura's confusion about her own actions._

> Detection and exposure, she knew it now, were the most awful things the world held.

Laura realizes that being found out and shamed is the worst possible fate.

_This thought captures her terror as she anticipates the consequences of her lies._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_getting_of_wisdom_se/chapters