# XXVII explained — The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft

> Chapter companion for The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft by George Gissing.

## What happens

Ryecroft reads Shakespeare's The Tempest and reflects on its perfection, the joy of reading it in his native English, and the inseparable bond between Shakespeare and England.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Joy of Reading and Lifelong Learning

Ryecroft finds deep joy and renewed wonder in rereading The Tempest, discovering new depths each time.

### English Character and National Identity

Ryecroft expresses that Shakespeare and England are inseparable, and he is glad to have been born English to read Shakespeare in the original.

## Character check-ins

### Henry Ryecroft

The narrator who reads and meditates on The Tempest.

### William Shakespeare

The poet whose work The Tempest is the subject of Ryecroft's reflection.

### Homer

Mentioned as a poet whose full music is inaccessible across time.

## Key lines

> Today I have read The Tempest. It is perhaps the play that I love best, and, because I seem to myself to know it so well, I commonly pass it over in opening the book. Yet, as always in regard to Shakespeare, having read it once more, I find that my knowledge was less complete than I supposed.

Ryecroft reads The Tempest again and realizes he knew it less thoroughly than he thought.

_Highlights the endless depth of Shakespeare's work and the joy of rediscovery._

> Among the many reasons which make me glad to have been born in England, one of the first is that I read Shakespeare in my mother tongue.

Ryecroft counts being able to read Shakespeare in English as a primary reason for his gratitude at being English.

_Connects national identity with literary heritage._

> In the love and reverence awakened by that voice of voices, Shakespeare and England are but one.

Ryecroft feels that Shakespeare and England are inseparable in his heart.

_Culminates the chapter's theme of unity between poet and country._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/chapters/xxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/chapters