Wired Love · Chapter
XII: Crosses on the Line explained
After Cyn's triumphant concert, Nattie grows increasingly discontented with her life and jealous of Cyn's success and beauty.
What happens
After Cyn's triumphant concert, Nattie grows increasingly discontented with her life and jealous of Cyn's success and beauty. Miss Kling's malicious gossip leads Nattie to believe Clem and Cyn are engaged, forcing Nattie to realize she loves Clem. She begins avoiding him, causing a rift between them, while Jo also struggles with hidden feelings for Cyn.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Discontent
Nattie expresses frustration with her monotonous life and desire for something more, contrasting with Cyn's success.
Jealousy and Unrequited Love
Nattie's jealousy of Cyn and belief that Clem loves Cyn drives her to avoid him, while Jo also harbors unspoken feelings for Cyn.
Gossip and Social Surveillance
Miss Kling spreads rumors about Clem and Miss Archer, influencing Nattie's perception and actions.
Characters to notice
- Nathalie Rogers
Becomes deeply discontented and jealous after Cyn's concert; realizes she loves Clem but believes he loves Cyn, leading her to avoid him.
- Clem
Notices Nattie's coldness and becomes cool in return, joking more with Cyn; tries to reconcile but is rebuffed.
- Cyn
Sings brilliantly at the concert, unaware of the jealousy she inspires; tries to mend the rift between Nattie and Clem.
- Quimby
Admires Cyn from afar but rationalizes not falling in love with her; becomes happier as Nattie devotes more attention to him.
- Jo Norton
Becomes moody and cynical after Clem's comment about Cyn; struggles with his own feelings for her.
- Betsey Kling
Maliciously tells Nattie that Clem and Miss Archer are engaged, deepening Nattie's despair.
Key passages
“I am tired of living with no object; with nothing but a daily routine. Can it be there is no better place in the world for me? That my life must be always thus? I cannot be contented!”
Nattie expresses her deep dissatisfaction with her monotonous life and yearns for purpose and advancement.
Highlights her ambition and discontent.
“Oh, why must Cyn be given everything, and she—nothing? What kind of fate was it that marked out the broad, sunny road for one, and the somber, uneven pathway for another?”
Nattie bitterly compares her own struggles to Cyn's success, feeling unfairly treated by fate.
Illustrates her jealousy and sense of injustice.
“Truly, Cupid, viewed in the character of a telegraphist, was far from being a success; for he had switched everybody off on to the wrong wire!”
The narrator comments that love has caused confusion and mismatched feelings among the characters.
Metaphor for the romantic misunderstandings in the chapter.