# XVI explained — The Nebuly Coat

> Chapter companion for The Nebuly Coat by John Meade Falkner.

## What happens

Anastasia Joliffe reflects on her ambitions and independence after receiving a marriage proposal from Westray. She considers her talents and dreams of becoming a novelist, while her aunt Miss Joliffe probes about the letter. Anastasia ultimately resolves to reject Westray's offer, viewing it as an unromantic and condescending attempt to provide for her future.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Anastasia's rejection of Westray's proposal explores marriage as an institution versus personal ambition and independence.

### Art and Authenticity

Anastasia's dreams of becoming a novelist and her artistic talents reflect the theme of creative self-expression and authenticity.

### Secrecy and Identity

Anastasia's secret correspondence with Westray and her plan to publish under a pseudonym highlight hidden aspects of identity.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Anastasia Joliffe

Anastasia receives Westray's marriage proposal and contemplates her own talents and ambitions, including becoming a novelist. She resents the proposal and decides to reject it.

### Miss Euphemia Joliffe

Miss Joliffe questions Anastasia about Westray's letter, feeling hurt by a perceived lack of confidence, and advises against correspondence.

### Mr. Westray

Westray writes a letter to Anastasia proposing marriage, addressing her as 'Dearest Anastasia,' which she finds presumptuous.

### Mr. Sharnall

Mentioned in Anastasia's thoughts as someone who would qualify her estimate of her musical abilities.

### Sophy Joliffe

Anastasia's grandmother, who painted the flower and caterpillar picture, and from whom Anastasia inherited her artistic talent.

## Key lines

> The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a hell of heaven, a heaven of hell.

The mind is a private sanctuary that can transform any situation, turning misery into joy or joy into misery.

_This reflects Anastasia's inner world and her ability to maintain her own thoughts and dreams despite external pressures._

> As every soldier carries in his knapsack the baton of the Field Marshal, so every girl in her teens knows that there lie hidden in the recesses of her armoire, the robes and coronet and full insignia of a first-rate novelist.

Just as every soldier dreams of becoming a general, every teenage girl believes she has the potential to become a great novelist.

_This illustrates Anastasia's literary ambitions and the common fantasy of achieving fame through writing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters