# Chapter XX explained — The Magnificent Ambersons

> Chapter companion for The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington.

## What happens

Isabel confronts George about his dislike of Eugene Morgan, but George deflects with a philosophical argument about liking friends independently of their relatives. Fanny's cryptic stares annoy George. When Lucy returns from her trip, George's awkwardness at the Sharons' house makes him feel ridiculous, and he storms home in a fury.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Arrogance

George's refusal to examine his own prejudice and his insistence on his own ideals highlight his pride and arrogance.

### Generational Conflict

Isabel's gentle attempt to bridge George's hostility toward Eugene contrasts with George's rigid, dismissive attitude.

### Gossip and Reputation

Fanny's cryptic stares and the Sharons' suppressed laughter underscore the social scrutiny George faces.

## Character check-ins

### George Amberson Minafer

Defends his dislike of Eugene to Isabel, feels humiliated by his awkward encounter with Lucy, and vents his anger at the stable.

### Isabel Amberson

Troubled by George's hostility toward Eugene, she tries to understand his feelings but is gently dismissed.

### Fanny Minafer

Stares at George with cryptic, hopeful calculation, annoying him with her silent scrutiny.

### Lucy Morgan

Returns from her trip and meets George at the Sharons', remaining composed while he flounders awkwardly.

### Eugene Morgan

Mentioned as the object of George's dislike; he visits the house but avoids Sunday dinners.

### Major Amberson

Mentioned as having hosted a dinner and being persuaded to go motoring with Eugene.

## Key lines

> Isabel came to George’s door that night, and when she had kissed him good night she remained in the open doorway with her hand upon his shoulder and her eyes thoughtfully lowered, so that her wish to say something more than good night was evident.

Isabel lingered at George's door after kissing him good night, clearly wanting to discuss something more.

_Sets up the central conversation about George's feelings toward Eugene._

> I don't say, though, that I feel unfriendly to Mr. Morgan. I don't say that I feel friendly to him, and I don't say that I feel unfriendly; but if you really think that I was rude to him tonight—

George claims he neither likes nor dislikes Eugene, but admits he might have been rude.

_Illustrates George's evasive and defensive reasoning._

> He could not glance her way, it seemed, without finding her red-rimmed eyes fixed upon him eagerly, with an alert and hopeful calculation in them which he declared would send a nervous man into fits.

Fanny's constant, eager stares made George feel intensely uncomfortable.

_Highlights Fanny's cryptic interest in George's actions._

> George had not heard of her arrival, and he met her, on the afternoon following that event, at the Sharons’, where he had gone in the secret hope that he might hear something about her.

George went to the Sharons' hoping for news of Lucy, unaware she had just returned.

_Reveals George's hidden eagerness despite his outward indifference._

> Nothing could have made him much more indignant than his consciousness of these symptoms of the icy indifference which it was his purpose not only to show but to feel.

George was furious at his own blushing, which betrayed his intended coolness.

_Shows George's internal conflict between pride and genuine feeling._

## Links

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