# XXIV explained — Zuleika Dobson

> Chapter companion for Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters/xxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/zuleika_dobson_se/chapters