The Perennial Bachelor · Chapter
XXV explained
May anticipates a proposal from Mr.
What happens
May anticipates a proposal from Mr. Robinson, but her sisters' teasing and her own conflicted feelings lead to a breakdown. The chapter also covers Daisy's departure after her father's death, the Spanish-American War's distant impact, and May's fabricated story about Captain Allen Jermayne.
Themes in this chapter
Unfulfilled Love and Marriage
May's conflicted feelings about Mr. Robinson's proposal and her fabricated romance with Captain Jermayne highlight the theme of unfulfilled love.
Selfishness and Spoiling
May's sisters mock Mr. Robinson's appearance and proposal, showing their self-absorption, while May's own emotional turmoil is dismissed.
Isolation and Loneliness
May's breakdown and her retreat into a fantasy relationship underscore her isolation despite being surrounded by family.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Campion
Observes Mr. Robinson's courtship of May, invites him to supper, and later worries about May's emotional state.
- Lily Campion
Joins Maggie in watching Mr. Robinson's arrival and later discusses May's mysterious friend Allen Jermayne.
- Victor Campion
Plays tennis with Daisy and May, imitates Mr. Robinson, and is mentioned in society columns.
- Daisy Blow
Plays tennis, laughs at Mr. Robinson's proposal intentions, and later leaves after her father's death.
- Mr. Alfred Lacey
Mentioned as a possible suitor for May, but not present in this chapter.
- Allen Jermayne
May claims he is a captain fighting in Cuba and that she will marry him after the war, but the story is later revealed as a lie.
Key passages
“You mark my words, Lily—Wadsworth Robinson is going to make May an offer, and what's more, I believe she's going to take him.”
Maggie predicts that Mr. Robinson will propose to May and that she will accept.
Sets up the central romantic tension of the chapter.
“She knew that he loved her, that he was going to ask her to marry him. And she was going to marry him. She shook with fascinated terror, dark excitement.”
May is both terrified and excited by the prospect of Mr. Robinson's proposal.
Reveals May's internal conflict about marriage.
“Oh! I shall never be able to keep a straight face when I look at him again—”
May laughs uncontrollably at Mr. Robinson's appearance, undermining her earlier feelings.
Shows May's emotional instability and the sisters' cruelty.
“Cousin Sam doubled up groaning one day on his old leather sofa, said to her, trying to smile, 'Don't you worry, honey,' and died.”
Cousin Sam dies suddenly, leaving Daisy grief-stricken.
Leads to Daisy's departure and the end of her relationship with Victor.
“I'm going to be married as soon as the war is over. I'm going to marry Captain Allen Jermayne.”
May announces she will marry Captain Jermayne after the war, but it is a lie.
Highlights May's fantasy and her inability to face reality.
