The House by the River · Chapter
XIII explained
Stephen recites his love songs to Muriel, who fails to understand or appreciate them, leading to his disillusionment.
What happens
Stephen recites his love songs to Muriel, who fails to understand or appreciate them, leading to his disillusionment. He abandons their final meeting to work on a new poem, leaving Muriel waiting in vain and realizing the depth of her love.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Muriel appears to appreciate Stephen's poetry but in reality does not understand it, revealing the gap between her outward response and inner feelings.
Art and Morality
Stephen's creative impulse overrides his moral obligations to Muriel, as he prioritizes his new poem over their final meeting.
Isolation and Remoteness
Muriel is left alone and forgotten on the wall, experiencing emotional isolation despite being in a populated setting.
Characters to notice
- Stephen Byrne
Recites his love songs to Muriel, feels disillusioned by her lack of understanding, and abandons their final meeting to work on a new poem.
- Muriel Tarrant
Listens to Stephen's poems without understanding, waits for him in vain, and realizes her love has become serious.
- Margery Byrne
Mentioned in Stephen's thoughts about her description of evening by the Solent.
- George Tarrant
Accompanies Stephen and Muriel on the boat trip but leaves them at Westminster Pier.
Key passages
“She said at last: "How nice , Stephen! Did you really make up all that about me?" And at that the last flicker of the fire which had burned in him for so many days went out.”
Muriel's shallow response extinguishes Stephen's passion for her.
This moment marks Stephen's disillusionment with their relationship.
“He did not forget Muriel; he did not forget his promise. He knew that she was waiting for him, silent on the wall. He knew that he was bound in honour, or in dishonour, to go to her. But he did not go.”
Stephen is aware of his commitment to Muriel but chooses to ignore it.
Stephen prioritizes his creative work over his promise to Muriel.
“She knew now that she loved this man with a deep and consuming love; it had begun lightly, as a kind of diversion, but the game had turned to bitter earnest.”
Muriel realizes her feelings for Stephen have become serious and painful.
Muriel's realization of her love contrasts with Stephen's indifference.