# VI explained — The Truth About Tristrem Varick

> Chapter companion for The Truth About Tristrem Varick by Edgar Saltus.

## What happens

Tristrem awakens blissfully in love, dreams of Viola, and announces his engagement to his father, Mr. Varick, who reacts with a strange, almost malicious composure. Tristrem then visits his grandfather, Mr. Dirck Van Norden, who joyfully accepts the news, gives him a diamond brooch that belonged to Tristrem's mother, and warns against giving an opal as a gift. Tristrem spends several days in euphoria, planning for the marriage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Idealism

Tristrem's euphoric dreams and his idealized view of love dominate the chapter, contrasting with his father's cold reaction.

### Inheritance and Moral Obligation

The grandfather's gift of the diamond brooch, passed from Tristrem's mother, and the discussion of the opal's luck highlight themes of family legacy and obligation.

## Character check-ins

### Tristrem Varick

Awakens in love, dreams of Viola, announces engagement to his father, visits his grandfather, and is absurdly happy.

### Mr. Dirck Van Norden

Tristrem's grandfather; receives the engagement news with enthusiasm, writes letters, gives Tristrem a diamond brooch, and warns against opals.

### Viola Raritan

The object of Tristrem's love; he is engaged to her and dreams of her throughout the chapter.

### The Servant

Delivers Tristrem's message to Mr. Varick and reports his father's reaction.

## Key lines

> But a poet has held that the most pleasurable thing imaginable is to awake on a summer morning with the consciousness of being in love.

A poet once said that waking up in love on a summer morning is the greatest pleasure.

_Sets the tone for Tristrem's joyful awakening and his romantic idealism._

> He saw grief collapse and joy enthroned.

He imagined sorrow vanishing and happiness reigning supreme.

_Reflects Tristrem's optimistic and dreamlike state after falling in love._

> It is not lucky.

It brings bad luck.

_Mr. Van Norden's warning about the opal, reflecting superstitions of the time._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters