# The Decorative Imagination explained — The Three Impostors

> Chapter companion for The Three Impostors by Arthur Machen.

## What happens

Dyson grows accustomed to Mr. Burton's frequent visits, which both terrify and delight him. They discuss the possibility of writing a modern book of social diplomacy akin to Bacon's Essays, lamenting the decay of society. Dyson argues for the wonder and mystery of modern urban life, and Mr. Burton promises to share one of his strange professional experiences.

## Themes in this chapter

### Urban Mystery and the Sublime

Dyson extols the beauty and mystery of modern London streets, describing them as more wonderful than exotic Eastern cities.

### Decay and Mortality

Both characters discuss the deterioration of life and society, lamenting the loss of fine social graces and the rise of vulgar commercialism.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Dyson

Dyson is the host, welcoming Mr. Burton's visits and engaging in philosophical discussion about society and urban mystery.

### Mr. Burton

Mr. Burton visits Dyson frequently, discussing social decay and promising to share a strange story from his career as an agent.

## Key lines

> It is a book to make, said Mr. Burton, but who is there capable of making it? I tell you people are longing for such a book; it would bring fortune to its publisher.

Mr. Burton suggests that a modern guide to social strategy would be highly sought after and profitable.

_Burton proposes writing a contemporary equivalent of Bacon's Essays for navigating modern society._

> Before us is unfolded the greatest spectacle the world has ever seen—the mystery of the innumerable unending streets, the strange adventures that must infallibly arise from so complicated a press of interests.

Dyson argues that the modern city offers a sublime and mysterious spectacle full of potential adventures.

_Dyson defends the wonder of urban life against Burton's pessimism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_impostors_se/chapters/the-decorative-imagination
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_impostors_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_impostors_se/chapters