# III explained — The Professor’s House

> Chapter companion for The Professor’s House by Willa Cather.

## What happens

The Professor reflects on his marriage and the impact of Tom Outland, negotiates to keep his old house, and has a tense breakfast with Lillian about Louie Marsellus's behavior and the naming of 'Outland'.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loss of Self and Identity

The Professor feels disconnected from his family and his own past, as symbolized by his desire to stay in the old house.

### Memory and the Past

The Professor reflects on his marriage and the role of Tom Outland, and the old house represents his attachment to the past.

### Family and Marriage

The breakfast argument reveals tensions in the marriage, with Lillian defending Louie and the Professor feeling alienated.

## Character check-ins

### Professor St. Peter

Reflects on his marriage and Tom Outland's impact, negotiates with his landlord, and argues with Lillian about Louie.

### Lillian St. Peter

Breakfasts with the Professor, defends Louie, and discusses the history of manners and reserve.

### Tom Outland

Mentioned as the cause of jealousy in Lillian and as a significant figure in the Professor's life.

### Louie Marsellus

Discussed at breakfast; his naming of the house 'Outland' and his behavior are points of contention.

### Appelhoff

The Professor's landlord, who is reluctant to rent the old house for a short term but agrees to a year's lease.

### Professor Horace Langtry

Mentioned as a rival who once tried to take the Professor's department and now has a Renaissance chair.

## Key lines

> people who are intensely in love when they marry, and who go on being in love, always meet with something which suddenly or gradually makes a difference.

Couples who remain deeply in love after marriage inevitably encounter something that changes their relationship.

_The Professor reflects on how Tom Outland altered his marriage._

> It’s brazen impudence.

It's shameless audacity.

_The Professor criticizes Louie and Rosamond for naming the house 'Outland'._

> I have no enthusiasm for being a father-in-law.

I don't enjoy the role of being a father-in-law.

_The Professor expresses his discomfort with his son-in-law Louie._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_professor_s_house_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters