Zuleika Dobson · Chapter
VII explained
The Duke and Zuleika walk toward the river after missing the boat race.
What happens
The Duke and Zuleika walk toward the river after missing the boat race. The Duke contemplates his death by drowning, imagining it as a grand romantic gesture. Zuleika, initially displeased, becomes fascinated when she suspects he intends to die for her. She pleads with him to live, but he remains resolute. The chapter ends with the Duke preparing to leap into the river, while Zuleika watches with a mixture of horror and excitement.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Sacrifice
The Duke's plan to drown himself for Zuleika exemplifies the theme of romantic sacrifice, treating death as the ultimate expression of love.
Love and Obsession
The Duke's obsession with Zuleika drives him to contemplate suicide, while Zuleika's fascination with his resolve borders on morbid curiosity.
Vanity and Self-Absorption
Both characters are absorbed in their own perspectives: the Duke in his romantic self-dramatization, Zuleika in her power over him.
Fate and Irony
The Duke's belief that his death will save others from Zuleika's allure is ironic, as she is more captivated by his resolve than ever.
Characters to notice
- Duke of Dorset
Resolved to die for Zuleika, he contemplates drowning in the river and feels a newfound sympathy for mankind.
- Zuleika Dobson
Initially angry at the Duke for missing the race, she becomes intrigued by his talk of death and tries to dissuade him, though her eyes betray excitement.
- Noaks
Mentioned as part of the crowd returning from the race.
- Mr. Abimelech V. Oover
Mentioned as part of the crowd returning from the race.
Key passages
“The Duke did not try to break the stony silence in which Zuleika walked. Her displeasure was a luxury to him, for it was so soon to be dispelled.”
The Duke enjoyed Zuleika's anger because he knew it would vanish once she learned of his plan to die for her.
Highlights the Duke's smugness and his view of her displeasure as temporary.
“He wanted to die because he would thereby so poignantly consummate his love, express it so completely, once and for all”
He saw death as the ultimate and perfect expression of his love for her.
Reflects the Romantic ideal of love culminating in death.
“The law of gravitation that brings one to the surface? There his very skill in swimming would help him. He would swim under water, along the riverbed, swim till he found weeds to cling to”
He planned to use his swimming ability to stay underwater and drown himself by clinging to weeds.
Shows his determination to overcome the instinct to survive.
“I am sorry, he said. That gun—did you hear it? It was the signal for the race. I shall never forgive myself.”
He apologized for missing the race, blaming himself to avoid a confrontation with Zuleika.
Demonstrates his strategic self-blame to manage her reaction.
“Moriturus te saluto”
He who is about to die salutes you.
A classical Roman gladiator's salute, underscoring his theatrical view of his death.
“When I shall have sunk forever beneath these waters whose supposed purpose here this afternoon is but that they be ploughed by the blades of these young oarsmen”
When I drown in this river, which today is only meant for the rowing race.
Contrasts the mundane purpose of the river with his dramatic death.
