There Is Confusion · Chapter
XXXII explained
Maggie and Philip reunite in Chambéry after years apart.
What happens
Maggie and Philip reunite in Chambéry after years apart. Philip, wounded and gassed from the war, is physically weakened. They confess their long-hidden love for each other, but Philip refuses to marry her, believing himself too broken. Maggie insists she will nurse him and be with him regardless, even offering to be his mistress. Philip ultimately accepts her love, and they embrace in the chapel.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Maggie offers to sacrifice her reputation and future to be with Philip, while Philip sacrifices his own happiness to avoid burdening her.
War and Patriotism
Philip's service in the war has left him physically broken, and he reflects bitterly on how fighting for a country that oppresses him has cost him everything.
Racial Prejudice and Identity
Philip articulates how racial persecution in America has consumed his life and prevented him from pursuing personal happiness.
Ambition and Success
Maggie's plan to start a chain of beauty shops represents her newfound ambition and desire for a career, contrasting with Joanna's earlier success.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Ellersley
Now working in Chambéry helping boys, she has found contentment and plans to start a chain of beauty shops. She confesses her love for Philip and offers to nurse him.
- Philip Marshall
Returned from war wounded and gassed, physically weak and bitter. He reveals his long-standing love for Maggie but refuses to marry her due to his condition.
- Joanna Marshall
Referenced as having persistent ambition and achieving her goals; Maggie contrasts her own past foolishness with Joanna's clarity.
- Peter Bye
Maggie clarifies that her engagement to Peter was a mistake and is now broken off.
- Henderson Neal
Maggie's former husband; Philip recalls his jealousy when she married Neal.
- Sylvia Marshall
Mentioned in Philip's recollection of conversations about Maggie's early experiences.
- Harry Portor
Maggie suggests Harry Portor could help Philip recover.
- Mrs. Terry
Observes Philip's condition and thinks he left the hospital too soon.
Key passages
“You’ve been everything that is fine and brave and noble, Philip. And don’t think your suffering, as you call it, is due only to being colored. Life takes it out of all of us.”
Maggie tells Philip that his suffering is not solely because of racism; everyone endures hardship in life.
Maggie tries to comfort Philip by universalizing his pain.
“Sometimes I think no matter how one is born, no matter how one acts, there is something out of gear with one somewhere, and that must be changed. Life at its best is a grand corrective.”
Maggie reflects that everyone has flaws that need correcting, and life itself provides the opportunity for change.
Maggie expresses her belief in personal growth through experience.
“I have been a selfish, selfish woman, always—looking out for my own personal advantage, grasping at everything, everybody—who I thought might make life easier for me.”
Maggie admits she has been self-centered, using people to make her own life easier.
Maggie confesses her past selfishness to Philip.
“Then I’ll be your mistress, Philip. For no matter where you go I’ll find you and stay with you, you’ll never be able to send me away from you.”
Maggie offers to become Philip's mistress, vowing to follow him wherever he goes.
Maggie's ultimate sacrifice of social respectability for love.
“I’ve been simply a fool.”
Philip calls himself a fool for sacrificing his personal happiness for the racial cause.
Philip expresses regret over his life choices.
