# In the Gold Room explained — The Grand Babylon Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett.

## What happens

Theodore Racksole and his daughter Nella observe a ball given by Mr. and Mrs. Sampson Levi in the Gold Room. Racksole is uneasy about recent events, including Dimmock's death, Miss Spencer's disappearance, and Prince Aribert's unusual arrival. He spots Jules in the hotel against his orders, confronts him, and later discovers that Jules was not on the guest list. Racksole stays up all night, and the next morning learns that Dimmock's body has vanished from its coffin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Intrigue

The chapter deepens the mystery with Dimmock's body disappearing, Jules's unauthorized presence, and Racksole's growing unease.

### Wealth and Power

Racksole's wealth allows him to consider canceling the Levis' ball; the Levis' opulence is displayed through their hospitality and diamonds.

### Class and Snobbery

Racksole's disdain for the Levis as 'so-called plutocrats' and his awareness of English social constraints highlight class tensions.

## Character check-ins

### Theodore Racksole

Observes the ball from a hidden window, confronts Jules, stays up all night, and discovers Dimmock's body missing.

### Nella Racksole

Accompanies her father to the observation room, notes Jules on the balcony, and discusses the strange events.

### Jules

Spotted by Nella and Theodore on the balcony; claims to be a guest of the Levis but is not on the invitation list; confronted by Racksole.

### Prince Aribert

Present when Dimmock's body is discovered missing; unable to explain the disappearance.

### Reginald Dimmock

His body has vanished from the coffin before the inquest.

### Sampson Levi

Hosts the ball in the Gold Room with his wife; Racksole considers canceling the event.

## Key lines

> Theodore Racksole did not want a ball in his hotel that evening, and just before dinner he had almost a mind to issue a decree that the Gold Room was to be closed and the ball forbidden, and Mr. and Mrs. Sampson Levi might name the amount of damages suffered by them.

Racksole nearly canceled the Levis' ball out of irritation and a desire to assert his authority, but refrained due to English social norms.

_Illustrates Racksole's impulsive wealth and power, tempered by cultural awareness._

> I saw that scamp give Dimmock a wink last night at dinner that might have meant—well!

Racksole tells Nella he witnessed Jules exchange a meaningful wink with Dimmock at dinner.

_Highlights the conspiratorial link between Jules and Dimmock._

> The body of the deceased has disappeared. And his Serene Highness Prince Aribert informs me that though he has occupied a room immediately opposite, on the other side of the corridor, he can throw no light on the affair.

The inspector reports that Dimmock's body is missing, and Prince Aribert, who stayed nearby, has no explanation.

_Escalates the mystery surrounding Dimmock's death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/vi-in-the-gold-room
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters