# III explained — The Hill of Dreams > Chapter companion for The Hill of Dreams by Arthur Machen. ## What happens Lucian basks in the afterglow of his encounter with Annie, neglecting his writing and his father's concerns. He reflects on the social disdain for literary pursuits, recalling the fate of young Bennett. Lucian's devotion to Annie becomes a secret, obsessive ritual of writing praise. A walk is disrupted by the cruel hanging of a puppy by boys and a little girl's search for her lost dog, driving him to seek escape from humanity. ## Themes in this chapter ### Art vs. Commerce The chapter contrasts the practical, money-making world (represented by the bank, Mr. Taylor's wishes, and society's judgment) with Lucian's and Bennett's devotion to literature, which is seen as foolish and unprofitable. ### Love and Idealization Lucian's love for Annie is intensely idealized and ritualized; he writes a 'liturgy' of devotion, adoring her body and rejecting conventional romantic notions of a 'gentleman' and 'lady.' ### Alienation and Otherness Lucian feels deeply alienated from humanity, dreading the 'human form' and finding the cruelty of boys and the distress of the little girl unbearable, driving him to wish for a hermitage. ## Character check-ins ### Lucian Taylor Lucian is lost in romantic obsession, neglecting his work and his father's questions. He reflects on the social stigma of being a literary man and engages in a secret ritual of writing devotional texts to Annie. ### Mr. Taylor Mr. Taylor expresses concern over Lucian's lack of action regarding the plagiarized manuscript and worries about his son's literary ambitions, wishing he had sent him to Oxford. ### Annie Morgan Annie is the object of Lucian's adoration. She has left to visit her married sister, and Lucian cherishes the memory of their parting. ### Young Bennett Bennett is recalled as a cautionary tale: a young man who threw away a bank position for literature, earning the scorn of the community. ### Edward Dixon Edward Dixon is mentioned as one who sneered at Bennett's choice, calling him a 'beastly young ass' for leaving the bank. ### Old Mr. Gervase Old Mr. Gervase is noted for going purple with rage when Bennett's name is mentioned. ### Miss Spurry Miss Spurry is Bennett's aunt, whose infirmities and thousand a year are part of the social calculus around Bennett's decision. ### Major Pendennis Major Pendennis is referenced as a Thackeray character representing society's view that a literary occupation is not something to boast about. ## Key lines > For days Lucian lay in a swoon of pleasure, smiling when he was addressed, sauntering happily in the sunlight, hugging recollection warm to his heart. Lucian spent days in a blissful daze, smiling absently and wandering in the sun, cherishing the memory of his encounter with Annie. _Describes Lucian's initial state of romantic euphoria after meeting Annie._ > He recollected without interest that it cost him many pains, that it was pretty good here and there, and that it had been stolen, and it seemed that there was nothing more to be said on the matter. He recalled his plagiarized manuscript with indifference, feeling it was no longer important. _Shows Lucian's complete disengagement from his earlier literary work due to his new obsession._ > He wrote on these leaves a wonderful ritual of praise and devotion; it was the liturgy of his religion. He composed a sacred, elaborate text of worship dedicated to Annie, treating it as a religious practice. _Highlights the quasi-religious nature of Lucian's devotion to Annie._ > The 'healthy' boy pulled the rope, and his friends danced and shouted with glee. A boy who was considered normal and robust hanged a puppy while his companions celebrated. _Illustrates the casual cruelty of children that horrifies Lucian._ > He longed for some hermitage on the mountains, far above the stench and the sound of humanity. He wished to retreat to a remote mountain refuge, away from the foulness and noise of human society. _Expresses Lucian's desire to escape the unpleasantness of human contact._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hill_of_dreams_se/chapters/iii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hill_of_dreams_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hill_of_dreams_se/chapters