The Return · Chapter
IV explained
Lawford is locked in his room by Sheila and spends the night confronting his transformed reflection in the mirror.
What happens
Lawford is locked in his room by Sheila and spends the night confronting his transformed reflection in the mirror. He compares his old photograph with his new face, grapples with thoughts of suicide and insanity, and ultimately resigns himself to his situation, murmuring pity for Sheila.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Transformation
Lawford compares his old photograph with his new reflection, questioning who he has become and grappling with a profound change in identity.
Sanity and Madness
Lawford hears voices, considers his thoughts as insanity, and experiences a surge of indignation, teetering on the edge of mental breakdown.
Isolation and Alienation
Lawford sits alone in a locked room, feeling the emptiness of the well-furnished space and the complete separation from his former life.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Lawford
Sits alone in his room, examines his changed face in the mirror, struggles with despair and thoughts of death, and finally lies down on the bed.
- Sheila
Locks Lawford in his room; Lawford thinks of her with pity at the end of the chapter.
Key passages
“He sat without stirring, listening to his watch ticking in his pocket.”
He remained motionless, hearing only the sound of his watch.
Highlights his stillness and isolation.
“He tilted the portrait into the candlelight, and compared it with this reflection in the glass of what had come out of Widderstone, feature with feature, with perfect composure and extreme care.”
He held the photograph up to the candle and carefully compared it to his new reflection.
Shows his methodical examination of his changed appearance.
“It was a face that was becoming a kind of hold on life, even a kind of refuge, an ally.”
His new face was starting to feel like a support or companion in his struggle to live.
Indicates his shifting attitude toward his transformation.
“A blazing, impotent indignation seized him. He leaned near, peering as it were out of a red dusky mist. He snatched up the china candlestick, and poised it above the sardonic reflection, as if to throw.”
A surge of helpless rage overcame him; he leaned close to the mirror and raised the candlestick to smash his reflection.
Captures his violent impulse and near-breakdown.
“Poor old thing! his voice murmured, Poor old Sheila!”
He whispered sympathetically about Sheila, calling her 'poor old thing.'
Reveals his pity for his wife despite being locked in.