# XXXI: Mrs. Jehoram's Breadth of View explained — The Wonderful Visit

> Chapter companion for The Wonderful Visit by H. G. Wells.

## What happens

Mrs. Jehoram and Mrs. Mendham discuss the mysterious stranger who played the violin at the Vicarage. Mrs. Jehoram defends the possibility that the stranger is a genius in disguise, while Mrs. Mendham remains scandalized by his unconventional dress and behavior. They observe him through an opera glass, and Mrs. Jehoram resolves to ask the Vicar for an introduction.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Hypocrisy and Conformity

Mrs. Mendham and Mrs. Jehoram debate the propriety of the stranger's dress and behavior, revealing the village's rigid social codes and the hypocrisy of judging based on appearance.

### Art, Beauty, and Transcendence

Mrs. Jehoram is swayed by the quality of the violin playing, suggesting that artistic genius can transcend social norms and justify eccentricity.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Jehoram

Defends the stranger as a possible genius, citing his violin playing; resolves to meet him.

### Mrs. Mendham

Skeptical and scandalized by the stranger's dress and behavior; gossips with Mrs. Jehoram.

### The Angel

Observed from a distance by the two women; now dressed respectably but looking cross and dusty.

### The Vicar

Mentioned as the host of the stranger and as someone who plays the violin, though the playing heard was not his.

### Lady Hammergallow

Mentioned as a confidante of both Mrs. Jehoram and Mrs. Mendham.

## Key lines

> I heard someone playing the fiddle in the Vicarage, as I came by, said Mrs. Jehoram, taking her cup of tea from Mrs. Mendham.

Mrs. Jehoram mentions hearing violin music from the Vicarage as she arrived.

_Sets up the central topic of the chapter: the mysterious musician._

> I still more than half suspect, Jessie— Mrs. Mendham leant forward as if to whisper. Mrs. Jehoram helped herself to cake. I'm sure no woman could play the violin quite like I heard it played this morning.

Mrs. Mendham hints that the stranger might be a woman, but Mrs. Jehoram insists the violin playing was too skilled for a woman.

_Highlights gender assumptions and the power of artistic skill to challenge them._

> What I was going to say was, that possibly he might be a genius in disguise.

Mrs. Jehoram suggests the stranger could be a genius hiding his identity.

_Introduces the 'genius theory' that Mrs. Jehoram champions._

> I intend to ask the Vicar to introduce me.

Mrs. Jehoram decides to seek an introduction to the stranger.

_Shows her resolve to defy village gossip and satisfy her curiosity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_visit_se/chapters/xxxi-mrs-jehoram-s-breadth-of-view
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_visit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_visit_se/chapters