Three Men in a Boat · Chapter
XIX explained
The friends spend two pleasant days at Oxford, where Montmorency revels in numerous dog fights.
What happens
The friends spend two pleasant days at Oxford, where Montmorency revels in numerous dog fights. They discuss the merits of upstream versus downstream rowing and recount a humorous anecdote about hiring a decrepit boat called the 'Pride of the Thames.' The weather turns rainy, and they struggle through a melancholy journey downriver, eventually abandoning the boat at Pangbourne to take a train to London for a night at the Alhambra.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Absurdity
The extended anecdote about the hired boat 'Pride of the Thames'—mistaken for a Roman coffin or fossil whale—highlights the absurdity of their situation.
Nature and the River
The chapter contrasts the river's beauty in sunlight with its melancholy, spirit-haunted aspect in the rain, reflecting nature's dual moods.
Escapism and Leisure
The friends' decision to abandon the boat and take a train to London for supper and the Alhambra underscores their desire for comfort and entertainment over the rigors of the trip.
Characters to notice
- J.
The narrator, who steers while Harris and George scull, and who reflects on the river's beauty and the misery of the rain.
- George
George performs mournfully on the banjo, sticks to the umbrella during the rain, and suggests taking the train to London.
- Harris
Harris sculls with George, tries to be enthusiastic about the rain, and eventually agrees to abandon the boat.
- Montmorency
Montmorency has eleven fights on the first day at Oxford and fourteen on the second, thinking he has reached heaven.
Key passages
“Montmorency had eleven fights on the first day, and fourteen on the second, and evidently thought he had got to heaven.”
Montmorency got into many dogfights and seemed to be in paradise.
Illustrates Montmorency's enjoyment of the town.
“The hired upriver boat very soon puts a stop to any nonsense of that sort on the part of its occupants.”
The rented boat quickly discourages any showy behavior.
Highlights the humble nature of hired boats.
“Sunlight is the lifeblood of Nature. Mother Earth looks at us with such dull, soulless eyes, when the sunlight has died away from out of her.”
Sunlight gives life to nature; without it, the earth seems lifeless and sad.
Reflects on the river's change in mood with the weather.
“We had deceived the boatman at Pangbourne. We had not had the face to tell him that we were running away from the rain.”
We lied to the boatman, too embarrassed to admit we were escaping the rain.
Shows the friends' guilt about abandoning the trip.