There Is Confusion · Chapter
Chapter XX explained
Joanna receives Peter's letter breaking their engagement to marry Maggie.
What happens
Joanna receives Peter's letter breaking their engagement to marry Maggie. She experiences profound grief, writes him a desperate letter, and receives a curt reply. She finishes her tour in the South, returns to New York, and is met by Sylvia, who helps her home. Joanna struggles with sleeplessness and the pain of losing Peter.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Joanna's grief over losing Peter and Peter's decision to honor his commitment to Maggie despite his feelings for Joanna highlight the theme of love and sacrifice.
Ambition and Success
Joanna's career as a singer continues even as she suffers personally, showing the tension between professional ambition and personal heartbreak.
Characters to notice
- Joanna Marshall
Devastated by Peter's letter ending their relationship; she writes him a long letter, finishes her engagement in the South, and returns home in deep sorrow.
- Peter Bye
Breaks off his engagement with Joanna via letter, citing his commitment to Maggie and her claim on him.
- Maggie Ellersley
Referenced as the woman Peter is now engaged to marry; Joanna imagines them laughing at her.
- Sylvia Marshall
Meets Joanna at the train in New York, brings her home, and helps her to bed; keeps the matter from their parents.
- Joel Marshall
Mentioned as Joanna's father in the imagined newspaper notice of her suicide.
Key passages
“Peter had given her up. He was going to marry Maggie. He had given her up. That was the important thing. For if he was not to marry her, what difference did it make whom he married?”
Joanna realizes that Peter has ended their relationship and will marry Maggie, and the only thing that matters is that he is not marrying her.
Joanna's core realization of loss.
“Even if I wanted to give her up, I would not, she has been too kind to me. But I don't want to give her up, Joanna. Besides, I've got to consider the public. She has told several people that we are engaged.”
Peter writes that he feels obligated to Maggie because of her kindness and because she has publicly announced their engagement.
Peter's justification for his decision.
“Help me to get to sleep, Sylvia, or I think I shall go mad.”
Joanna pleads with Sylvia to help her sleep, fearing she will lose her sanity from the pain.
Joanna's desperation and emotional breakdown.