The Rise of Silas Lapham · Chapter
XXII explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Lapham receives a letter from Irene, who is staying with her uncle's family in Dubuque and makes no reference to her own feelings. Mrs. Lapham urges Penelope to stop moping and help support her father, who is in financial trouble due to Milton Rogers and other losses. Penelope writes a note to Tom Corey asking him not to visit until she contacts him. Lapham experiences alternating periods of relief and depression in his business affairs, growing thin, old, and irascible. Penelope becomes a comfort to her father, working with him on accounts and taking walks. Irene decides to spend the winter in Dubuque. Mrs. Lapham finds a paper recording payments to 'Wm. M.' and sets it aside, forgetting it.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Family Dynamics
The Lapham family navigates financial stress and emotional strain, with Penelope stepping up to support her father while Irene remains distant.
Honesty and Deception
Mrs. Lapham discovers a paper recording payments to 'Wm. M.' but forgets it, hinting at undisclosed financial dealings by Lapham.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Lapham
Receives Irene's letter, urges Penelope to help her father, and finds a paper recording payments to 'Wm. M.' which she later forgets.
- Penelope Lapham
Writes a note to Tom Corey asking him not to visit, supports her father through his financial troubles, and works with him on accounts.
- Silas Lapham
Struggles with business fluctuations, becomes irascible and secretive, but finds comfort in Penelope's company.
- Irene Lapham
Sends a letter from Dubuque with no reference to her own feelings; decides to spend the winter with her uncle's family.
- Tom Corey
Receives Penelope's note asking him not to visit and obeys without making any sign.
Key passages
“The morning postman brought Mrs. Lapham a letter from Irene, which was chiefly significant because it made no reference whatever to the writer or her state of mind.”
Mrs. Lapham received a letter from Irene that was notable for not mentioning Irene's own feelings or situation.
Highlights Irene's emotional distance and avoidance of the love triangle.
“Do not come to see me any more till you hear from me. I have a reason which I cannot give you now; and you must not ask what it is.”
Penelope writes to Tom Corey asking him to stop visiting until she contacts him, without explaining why.
Shows Penelope's decision to distance herself from Corey due to family troubles.
“He grew thin and old, and both at home and at his office he was irascible to the point of offence.”
Lapham became physically worn and irritable, often offending those around him at home and work.
Illustrates the toll of financial stress on Lapham's health and demeanor.