# XVIII explained — The Magnificent Ambersons

> Chapter companion for The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

George sits on the veranda with his mother Isabel and Aunt Fanny, brooding over his recent conflict with Lucy Morgan. Fanny criticizes Isabel for using mourning items too soon after Wilbur's death, but George dismisses her. He fantasizes about Lucy begging for forgiveness, then angrily imagines her laughing with other suitors. Fanny and Isabel discuss the rise of automobiles, with Fanny predicting they will be outlawed. Meanwhile, Lucy plays chess with her father Eugene, hiding her troubled heart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Arrogance

George's pride is wounded by Lucy's rejection; he fantasizes about her submission and angrily dismisses her companions as 'riffraff'.

### Gossip and Reputation

Fanny gossips about Isabel's use of mourning items and criticizes Eugene's automobiles, reflecting social judgment and reputation concerns.

### Generational Conflict

Fanny and Isabel debate the future of automobiles, with Fanny representing older conservative views against technological change.

## Character check-ins

### George Amberson Minafer

Sits brooding on the veranda, fantasizes about Lucy begging forgiveness, then angrily calls her companions 'riffraff'.

### Isabel Amberson

Sits with George and Fanny, comments on George's evening dress, and defends Eugene's automobiles against Fanny's criticism.

### Fanny Minafer

Criticizes Isabel for using mourning items too soon, predicts automobiles will be outlawed, and shows jealousy toward Eugene.

### Lucy Morgan

Plays chess with her father Eugene; her heart is heavy but she hides it, and Eugene wins three games.

### Eugene Morgan

Plays chess with Lucy, pleased to win three games; his automobiles are a topic of conversation.

## Key lines

> I don't see how she can bear to use them so soon after your poor father⁠—

Fanny expresses shock that Isabel is using mourning items so soon after Wilbur's death.

_Fanny criticizes Isabel's behavior, revealing family tension._

> Riffraff!

George angrily dismisses Lucy's companions as low-class people.

_George's contempt for those he considers beneath him, especially Fred Kinney and Charlie Johnson._

> I don't believe we'll see so many next summer as we do now.

Fanny predicts that the number of automobiles will decrease next year.

_Fanny's skepticism about the permanence of automobiles, reflecting resistance to change._

## Links

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