# XV explained — The Tunnel

> Chapter companion for The Tunnel by Dorothy M. Richardson.

## What happens

Miriam attends a performance at the Lyceum Theatre, deeply engaging with Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice.' She reflects on the characters of Shylock, Portia, and Bassanio, critiquing the portrayal of women in Shakespeare and the nature of law and justice. Her thoughts extend to historical figures like Charles I and Cromwell, grappling with political and moral dichotomies. Accompanied by Mag, she experiences a mix of intellectual fervor and emotional connection to the play, particularly sympathizing with Shylock.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Consciousness and Autonomy

Miriam critiques Shakespeare's female characters as male inventions, reflecting on women's limited representation and the need for authentic female perspectives.

### Gender Roles and Patriarchy

Miriam examines men's condescension toward women's knowledge, the double standards of 'mother-wit,' and the societal constraints on women.

### Class and Cultural Antisemitism

Miriam's sympathy for Shylock highlights the play's anti-Semitic undertones and her own conflicted feelings about the Christian characters' treatment of him.

### The Search for Meaning and Beauty

Miriam seeks deeper truths in art and history, grappling with moral ambiguities and the beauty of Charles I's martyrdom versus Cromwell's pragmatism.

## Character check-ins

### Miriam

Attends the Lyceum Theatre, deeply contemplates Shakespeare's characters, gender roles, and historical conflicts.

### Mag

Accompanies Miriam to the theatre; comments on Shakespeare's genius in eliciting sympathy for Shylock.

### Shylock

Central figure in Miriam's reflections; she sympathizes with his plight and critiques the Christian characters' smugness.

### Portia

Miriam analyzes Portia's role, noting her wit and the limitations of her character as invented by a man.

### Irving

Henry Irving, the actor; Miriam anticipates his performance and reflects on his embodiment of Charles I.

### Shakespeare

Subject of Miriam's critique; she questions the reality of his female characters and the universality of his plays.

### Cromwell

Contrasted with Charles I in Miriam's thoughts on monarchy, freedom, and justice.

### Charles

Charles I; Miriam sympathizes with his gentleness and struggles with the moral complexities of his execution.

## Key lines

> everything in life depends upon women? тАЬA civilisation can never rise above the level of its women.тАЭ

Miriam questions whether society's progress is tied to women's status, quoting a maxim about civilization and women.

_Reflects Miriam's feminist critique and her search for women's role in shaping society._

> Portia? She had been quite complacent about being unkind to the Jew. She had been invented by a man.

Miriam criticizes Portia's cruelty toward Shylock and notes that her character was created by a male author.

_Highlights Miriam's awareness of gender bias in literary representation._

> He shows you that you do sympathise with Shylock; Mag thinks that is something to admit shamefacedly.

Mag acknowledges that Irving's performance forces sympathy for Shylock, but feels embarrassed about it.

_Illustrates the tension between societal norms and personal empathy._

> I am something between a man and a woman; looking both ways.

Miriam sees herself as embodying both masculine and feminine traits, observing from dual perspectives.

_Reveals Miriam's complex gender identity and self-awareness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tunnel_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tunnel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tunnel_se/chapters