# Home for Bastards explained — Wolf Solent

> Chapter companion for Wolf Solent by John Cowper Powys.

## What happens

Wolf Solent enjoys a pleasant day, but learns of his father Mr. Smith's financial ruin and death, leaving Mattie and Olwen penniless. He grapples with the burden of finding them a home, resisting the idea of involving Selena Gault, while his own deepest desire pulls him toward Christie Malakite.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Legacy

Wolf confronts the burdens of his father's legacy—financial ruin and the responsibility for Mattie and Olwen.

### Suffering and Defiance

Mattie and Wolf both exhibit a defiant endurance in the face of hardship, with Mattie crying 'I don't care!'

### Love and Desire

Wolf's deepest desire is to be with Christie Malakite, yet he builds barriers between them due to external obligations.

## Character check-ins

### Wolf Solent

Wolf learns of his father's death and financial ruin, and struggles with the responsibility of finding a home for Mattie and Olwen.

### Mattie Smith

Mattie reveals to Wolf that their father is ruined and later dies, leaving her and Olwen penniless.

### Olwen Smith

Olwen is upstairs playing; Mattie is anxious that she not hear Wolf's voice.

### Mrs. Solent

Mrs. Solent drives to Ramsgard with Wolf and later leaves a message about Mr. Smith's death.

### Roger Monk

Roger Monk drives Wolf and Mrs. Solent to Ramsgard, expressing discontent with Squire Urquhart.

### John Urquhart

Mr. Urquhart is absorbed in research with Wolf and offers Roger Monk's services for the drive.

## Key lines

> Home for bastards

Wolf reflects bitterly on the idea of finding a home for the displaced, calling it a 'home for bastards.'

_This phrase encapsulates Wolf's frustration with the burden of caring for Mattie and Olwen._

> I don't care! I don't care! I don't care!

Mattie exclaims her defiance and indifference to their dire situation.

_Mattie's outburst reveals her resilient, almost reckless spirit in the face of ruin._

> You and I are a funny pair, Wolf. I believe we actually like to be driven and hunted.

Mattie suggests that she and Wolf share a perverse enjoyment of adversity.

_This moment highlights the siblings' shared temperament and their inherited tendency toward defiance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/home-for-bastards
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/wolf_solent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters