The Golden Bowl · Chapter
Chapter XXXVII explained
Maggie and Adam Verver steal away from their guests for a private walk in the park, reminiscent of their earlier escape from Mrs.
What happens
Maggie and Adam Verver steal away from their guests for a private walk in the park, reminiscent of their earlier escape from Mrs. Rance and the Lutches. They discuss the nature of sacrifice, selfishness, and love, with Maggie asserting that she sacrifices her father to everyone and that her deep love for Amerigo makes her beyond jealousy. Adam hints at the possibility of returning to America with Charlotte, which fills Maggie with a vision of Charlotte's doom. The chapter explores the strain of their complex marital arrangements and the solace they find in their father-daughter bond.
Themes in this chapter
Sacrifice and Selfishness
Maggie and Adam discuss sacrifice and selfishness, with Maggie claiming she sacrifices her father to everyone and that her selfishness is for Amerigo. Adam denies being selfish, while Maggie admits to being selfish for her husband.
Possession and Jealousy
Maggie explores the nature of jealousy in love, stating that deep love leads to intense jealousy, but her love for Amerigo is so profound it places her beyond jealousy. Adam remarks that he has never been jealous.
Innocence and Experience
The chapter contrasts the 'innocent' father-daughter bond with the 'experienced' complexities of their marriages, as Maggie and Adam seek refuge in their old relationship.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Verver
Maggie confronts her father about the nature of their relationships, asserting that she sacrifices him to everyone and that her love for Amerigo is so profound it places her beyond jealousy. She feels a vision of Charlotte's doom when Adam suggests returning to America.
- Adam Verver
Adam offers himself as a sacrifice to Maggie, hints at returning to America with Charlotte, and reflects on his lack of jealousy. He finds solace in the father-daughter bond with Maggie.
- Charlotte Stant
Charlotte is indirectly referenced as the object of Adam's potential return to America, and Maggie envisions her as 'removed, transported, doomed.'
- Prince Amerigo
Maggie describes Amerigo as her 'motive' and the reason for her selfishness, indicating her deep love for him.
- Fanny Assingham
Maggie mentions Fanny's views on selfishness and wickedness, noting that Fanny condones selfishness but doesn't think much about wickedness.
- Mrs. Rance
Mrs. Rance is mentioned as part of the group of visitors that once caused anxiety for Maggie and Adam, now viewed with humorous nostalgia.
Key passages
“Why, I sacrifice you, simply, to everything and to everyone. I take the consequences of your marriage as perfectly natural.”
Maggie tells her father that she sacrifices him to all other concerns and accepts the results of his marriage as inevitable.
Maggie openly acknowledges her role in the family dynamics, framing her actions as a form of sacrifice.
“I'm selfish, so to speak, for him. I mean, that he's my motive—in everything.”
Maggie explains that her selfishness is driven by her love for Amerigo, who is her primary motivation.
Maggie redefines selfishness as devotion to her husband, highlighting her deep emotional commitment.
“Do you know that if we should ship, it would serve you quite right? ... And if you say much more we will ship.”
Adam suggests that returning to America with Charlotte would be a fitting response to Maggie's behavior, and warns that he might do so if she continues.
Adam's threat to leave for America reveals the underlying tension and his desire to regain control.
“But when you love in the most abysmal and unutterable way of all—why then you're beyond everything, and nothing can pull you down.”
Maggie describes a love so profound that it transcends jealousy and external threats, placing her in a state of invulnerability.
Maggie articulates her idealized vision of love, which she claims to experience with Amerigo.
