# XI explained — Those Barren Leaves

> Chapter companion for Those Barren Leaves by Aldous Huxley.

## What happens

Irene sews a pink silk garment in her room, surrounded by Cardinal Malaspina's frescoes, while her conscience occasionally pricks her for neglecting the 'higher life' of art and poetry that Aunt Lilian expects. She decides to tell Aunt Lilian she likes Hovenden, but before she can, Aunt Lilian speculates that Hovenden may be a homosexualist, and they discuss the possibility.

## Themes in this chapter

### Authenticity vs. Performance

Irene performs the role of the dutiful niece by pretending to write poetry and sketch, while secretly pursuing her true passion for sewing fine underclothes.

### Art and the Higher Life

Irene's sewing is contrasted with the 'higher' arts of poetry and painting; she considers her garment a work of art equal to a lyric.

### Desire and Self-Deception

Irene convinces herself her feelings for Hovenden are 'real and solid,' while Mrs. Aldwinkle rationalizes her own romantic obsession.

## Character check-ins

### Irene

Sews a pink chemise, feels guilty about neglecting art, plans to tell Aunt Lilian she likes Hovenden.

### Mrs. Aldwinkle

Absorbed by her unhappy passion for Chelifer, discusses skin care and speculates about Hovenden's sexuality.

### Lord Hovenden

Subject of Irene's thoughts and Mrs. Aldwinkle's speculation about his sexual orientation.

### Mr. Chelifer

His arrival freed Irene from Aunt Lilian's artistic demands; Mrs. Aldwinkle is absorbed by her passion for him.

### Aunt Lilian

Mournfully preoccupied with Chelifer, disapproves of Irene's sewing, discusses Hovenden's possible homosexuality.

## Key lines

> It was a work of art—a work of art that deserved that honourable title just as richly as 'O Moon, how calmly in the midnight sky'; perhaps even more richly.

Irene considers her sewing as legitimate an artistic creation as a poem.

_Highlights Irene's redefinition of art to include her craft._

> But to find the completely fun-proof formula was not so easy.

Irene struggles to find a way to tell Aunt Lilian about Hovenden without being teased.

_Shows Irene's anxiety about her aunt's mocking tone._

> 'I sometimes doubt,' she said, 'whether he takes any interest in women at all. Fundamentally, unconsciously, I believe he's a homosexualist.'

Mrs. Aldwinkle speculates that Hovenden is secretly homosexual.

_Introduces a modern psychological perspective on sexuality._

## Links

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