The Marrow of Tradition · Chapter
X: Delamere Plays a Trump explained
Major Carteret, concerned about Tom Delamere's conduct and Clara's future, delivers a mild lecture to Tom about moderation and discretion.
What happens
Major Carteret, concerned about Tom Delamere's conduct and Clara's future, delivers a mild lecture to Tom about moderation and discretion. Tom feigns humility but is angered, and upon leaving encounters Ellis, whom he suspects of undermining him. The narrative then explores Ellis's perspective: he has long observed Tom's degenerate behavior—cowardice, dishonesty, and cruelty—and loves Clara himself, hoping to win her if Tom fails. Later, Mrs. Ochiltree confronts Ellis on the street about rumors of Tom's drinking and gambling; Ellis evades but implies the rumors are true. She then reports to Olivia and Clara, who react with indignation, and Clara begins to suspect Ellis's motives.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Privilege
Tom Delamere's behavior and Ellis's reflections highlight the privileges and moral failings of the aristocracy, including borrowing money without repayment and living off others.
Gender and Morality
Clara's honor and future happiness are central to Carteret's lecture and the rumors about Tom, reflecting the era's double standards and expectations for women's purity.
Identity and Passing
Tom's skill at 'coon' impersonations and the Cakewalk hints at racial performance and the blurring of racial boundaries, a theme explored elsewhere in the novel.
Characters to notice
- Major Carteret
Delivers a fatherly lecture to Tom Delamere about moderation and discretion, concerned for Clara's happiness and the family honor.
- Tom Delamere
Feigns humility after Carteret's lecture but is inwardly angry; suspects Ellis of spreading rumors about him.
- Mr. Ellis
Observes Tom's degenerate behavior and loves Clara; evades Mrs. Ochiltree's questions about Tom's drinking and gambling, but implies the rumors are true.
- Polly Ochiltree
Confronts Ellis about rumors of Tom's misconduct and reports them to Olivia and Clara.
- Miss Clara Pemberton
Holds the baby and becomes indignant upon hearing the rumors about Tom; begins to suspect Ellis's motives.
- Mrs. Carteret
Dismisses the rumors as mere servants' gossip, defending Tom's character.
Key passages
“Carteret did not forget what General Belmont had said in regard to Tom. The major himself had been young, not so very long ago, and was inclined toward indulgence for the foibles of youth. A young gentleman should have a certain knowledge of life—but there were limits. Clara’s future happiness must not be imperiled.”
Major Carteret remembered General Belmont's warning about Tom. Though he was lenient toward youthful mistakes, he believed there were boundaries, and Clara's happiness was too important to risk.
Sets up Carteret's motivation for confronting Tom.
“To Ellis, unbiased by ancestral traditions, biased perhaps by jealousy, Tom Delamere was a type of the degenerate aristocrat.”
Ellis, without the influence of family pride but possibly swayed by jealousy, saw Tom as a perfect example of a declining aristocrat.
Reveals Ellis's critical view of Tom and his own conflicted feelings.
“He had a habit of borrowing, right and left, small sums which might be conveniently forgotten by the borrower, and for which the lender would dislike to ask.”
Tom frequently borrowed small amounts of money from many people, amounts he could easily forget and that lenders would feel awkward requesting back.
Illustrates Tom's financial irresponsibility and the privileges of his class.
