The Return · Chapter
VI explained
Lawford's encounter with Miss Sinnet goes disastrously wrong when he mistakenly calls her 'Miss Bennett,' confirming his fear that his face and identity have changed.
What happens
Lawford's encounter with Miss Sinnet goes disastrously wrong when he mistakenly calls her 'Miss Bennett,' confirming his fear that his face and identity have changed. He returns home to find Sheila has taken his keys and locked him out, leading to a tense confrontation. Later, he escapes the house and runs to a common, where he contemplates flight and the possibility of reclaiming his old self.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Transformation
Lawford's mistaken name for Miss Sinnet and his reflection on his changed face underscore his crisis of identity.
Isolation and Alienation
Lawford feels cut off from his past and family, wandering alone on the common and contemplating flight.
Sanity and Madness
Lawford questions his own sanity, wondering if his transformation is a delusion, and fears being seen as a lunatic.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Lawford
Lawford struggles with his altered identity, mistakenly calls Miss Sinnet 'Miss Bennett,' and later escapes the house to wander the common.
- Sheila
Sheila confronts Lawford about his secretive departure, locks him out by taking his keys, and asserts control over the household.
- Miss Sinnet
Miss Sinnet is offended when Lawford calls her 'Miss Bennett' and coldly dismisses him.
- Ada
Ada, the maid, blocks Lawford's entry at the door, following Sheila's orders.
- Alicia
Alice returns home with Jimmie Fortescue, her laughter heard from the garden.
- James Fortescue
Jimmie Fortescue accompanies Alice home, mentioned as having known she was coming.
Key passages
“I don’t really think,” she said, “you can be Mary Lawford’s son. I could scarcely have mistaken him .”
Miss Sinnet tells Lawford she does not believe he is Mary Lawford's son, as she would not have mistaken the real son.
This confirms Lawford's fear that his appearance has changed beyond recognition.
“He would go home and give in; let Sheila do with him what she pleased.”
Lawford decides to surrender to Sheila's control, feeling hopeless and defeated.
Highlights his despair and the power dynamic with Sheila.
“He devoured his lunch like a schoolboy. That finished to the last crumb, without a moment’s delay he covered his face with a towel, locked the door behind him, put the key in his pocket, and ran lightly downstairs.”
Lawford eats his lunch quickly, then covers his face, locks his room, and sneaks out of the house.
Shows his impulsive escape and determination to flee his situation.