The Professor’s House · Chapter
XVII explained
Lillian and the Marselluses sail for France in early May, leaving Professor St.
What happens
Lillian and the Marselluses sail for France in early May, leaving Professor St. Peter alone. He moves back to the old house and spends the summer in his garden, planning to edit Tom Outland's diary. He reflects on Tom's character and his relationship with Lillian, who became jealous of Tom. Tom's past in Washington is hinted at, and he chooses to stay in Hamilton as an instructor rather than go to Johns Hopkins. During a summer alone with Tom, St. Peter finally hears Tom's story.
Themes in this chapter
Idealized Friendship and Hero Worship
Tom's idealization of friends and his belief in self-sacrificing friendship are discussed, contrasting with Lillian's skepticism.
Memory and the Past
Tom's reluctance to discuss his past in Washington and the Professor's reflections on Tom's history highlight the theme of memory.
Characters to notice
- Professor St. Peter
Alone for the summer, he plans to edit Tom Outland's diary and reflects on Tom's character and his wife's jealousy.
- Tom Outland
His past in Washington is hinted at, and he chooses to stay in Hamilton as an instructor rather than go to Johns Hopkins.
- Lillian St. Peter
Sails to France with the Marselluses; her jealousy of Tom and her changing attitude are recalled.
- Kathleen
Playfully questions Tom about his past, showing her familiarity and affection.
Key passages
“He idealized the people he loved and paid his devoir to the ideal rather than to the individual, so that his behaviour was sometimes a little too exalted for the circumstances—'chivalry of the cinema,' Lillian used to say.”
Tom put his loved ones on a pedestal, acting more out of romantic idealism than practical reality, which Lillian mockingly called 'movie chivalry.'
This reflects the theme of idealized friendship and the conflict between romanticism and realism.
“It was nothing very incriminating, nothing very remarkable; a story of youthful defeat, the sort of thing a boy is sensitive about—until he grows older.”
Tom's story was not shameful or extraordinary, just a tale of a young man's failure that he was sensitive about in his youth.
This sets the stage for Tom's narrative, emphasizing the theme of memory and the past.