# IV explained — Those Barren Leaves

> Chapter companion for Those Barren Leaves by Aldous Huxley.

## What happens

On the terrace at night, Mrs. Aldwinkle leads a discussion about passion, the South, and the stars, with Irene invoking Bossuet, Mr. Cardan offering a cynical analysis, and Miss Thriplow attempting to balance cleverness with a show of genuine feeling.

## Themes in this chapter

### Authenticity vs. Performance

Mrs. Aldwinkle's passionate defense of 'grandeur of passion' contrasts with Mr. Cardan's cynical analysis, while Miss Thriplow performs a 'simple and natural' persona to counter her own cleverness.

### Class and Snobbery

Mrs. Aldwinkle's disdain for the 'bourgeois age' and her aristocratic carelessness with her dress highlight class snobbery, while Mr. Cardan links passion to leisured classes.

### Desire and Self-Deception

Irene's recollection of her past passions, prompted by Aunt Lilian's suggestions, and Calamy's wish to be free of passion yet drawn to Miss Thriplow, illustrate self-deception in desire.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Aldwinkle

Leads the evening promenade, passionately defends the grandeur of passion, and is indignant at Miss Thriplow's jokes about Italian tenors.

### Irene

Timidly but determinedly quotes Bossuet on passion to support Aunt Lilian, blushes at Mr. Cardan's encouragement, and recalls her own past infatuations.

### Mr. Cardan

Offers a witty, sociological explanation of passion as a product of leisure and warm climates, teasing Irene and provoking Mrs. Aldwinkle.

### Mary Thriplow

Makes a joke about stars being like Italian tenors, then quickly tries to correct the impression by praising Bellini and linking melody to the landscape.

### Mr. Calamy

Agrees with Mrs. Aldwinkle as a labor-saving device, reflects on passion with a sigh, and finds Miss Thriplow perversely attractive.

### Lord Hovenden

Walks apart, humming loudly to show he is occupied with his own thoughts, disturbed by Irene's knowledge of passion, and asks Mr. Falx about Fascist Trades Unions.

## Key lines

> Wasn't it Bossuet who said that there was something of the Infinite in passion?

Irene asks if Bossuet didn't claim that passion contains a touch of the infinite.

_Irene uses this quote to support Aunt Lilian's view of passion._

> Passion can only flourish among the well-fed unemployed.

Mr. Cardan argues that passion thrives only in those who have leisure and are not burdened by hard work.

_Cardan's cynical take on the social conditions necessary for passion._

> Even Nature, in Italy, is like a work of art.

Miss Thriplow observes that the Italian landscape appears as deliberately beautiful as a painting or sculpture.

_She uses this to recover from her earlier joke and impress Mr. Cardan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/those_barren_leaves_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/those_barren_leaves_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/those_barren_leaves_se/chapters