Zuleika Dobson · Chapter
XXIV explained
Zuleika, amidst packing, feels a transient exhilaration at leaving Oxford but is haunted by memories of the Duke's betrayal and the public humiliation.
What happens
Zuleika, amidst packing, feels a transient exhilaration at leaving Oxford but is haunted by memories of the Duke's betrayal and the public humiliation. She gives away the Duke's pearl studs to her maid Mélisande, then wrestles with doubts about how the world will remember the undergraduates' deaths. After a moment of self-reproach, she decides to go to Cambridge and orders a special train.
Themes in this chapter
Vanity and Self-Absorption
Zuleika's primary concern is how the world will perceive her role in the undergraduates' deaths, rather than the deaths themselves.
Death and Sacrifice
The chapter reflects on the meaning of the deaths and Zuleika's troubled conscience about those who died for her.
Artifice and Performance
Zuleika considers her art as solace and purpose, planning to perfect her act for Paris.
Characters to notice
- Zuleika Dobson
Packs to leave Oxford, gives away the Duke's pearls, and resolves to go to Cambridge.
- Mélisande
Zuleika's maid, who packs and receives the pearl studs as a gift for her fiancé.
- Duke of Dorset
Mentioned as the late Duke whose pearls Zuleika gives away; his actions haunt her thoughts.
- Noaks
Recalled in Zuleika's memory as part of the events that led to her humiliation.
- Edward Joseph Craddock
Mentioned as the man who made a will in Zuleika's favor and wanted to read it aloud.
Key passages
“Weary she was of the world, and angry she was at not being, after all, good enough for something better.”
Zuleika felt tired of life and frustrated that she wasn't worthy of a higher purpose.
Reflects Zuleika's disillusionment and self-criticism.
“Her art—how had she forgotten that? Here was solace, purpose.”
She suddenly remembered her performance art as a source of comfort and direction.
Zuleika turns to her craft to regain a sense of meaning.
“She knew that she had it in her to do better than she had ever done.”
She believed she could improve her performance beyond past achievements.
Shows Zuleika's ambition and self-awareness about her skills.
“But great things were still great, and fair things still fair.”
She reassured herself that noble deeds retain their value regardless of public opinion.
Zuleika tries to console herself about the legacy of the deaths.