Monday, November 3, 2008
Chapter 21
Chapter 21- Newland and May return from their vacation to attend the Beaufort's archery match, which May wins. As they settle into married life, Newland begins to wonder if he would even like it. He says that he married because it was expected of him, and because he met a "perfectly charming girl." He feels lie he didn't make a mistake because she did everything he expected her to, she was sweet, good-tempered, attractive, reasonable, and popular. His thoughts of once marrying Countess Olenska were distant memories like ghosts. He sees Medora at the archery match and she talks about Ellen but he feels very little emotional connections to her. Medora says how she is lonely and her life is "morbid, and unnatural." After May wins she asks to go see Mrs. Mingott, they visit her, and Mrs. Mingott comments on the diamond arrow brooch May won fromthe match saying that she should leave it to her oldest daughter, which makes May blush. Mrs. Mingott asks Newland to go fetch Ellen he he finds her facing the sea with her back to him. He is instantly reminded of the play with the girl and the ribbon, he decides if she does not turn arounf by the time a certain ship passes by he would leave, and she doesn't so he goes back to the house. He claims that he cannot find Ellen, and Mrs. Mingoot says that it is alright because she has changed anyway, now she isolates herself away from her friends, coming up with excuses why.
Chapter 19-20
Chapter 19- Some of this i had to read over because it was somewhat dull, and I was afraid I had missed something important. Chapter 19 begins the second book within the novel. It opens at the wedding so one month has passed. Newland describes the wedding, and the guests but goes into little detail during the wedding tiself, he even finds his mind once again wandering. Once May and Newland reach their place in the country they find it is unavailable due to something in the plumbing. However the van der Luydens have offered that same little place for them to stay where Newland and Ellen went to talk about why she ran away when they were interrupted by Beaufort. May has never seen the place, yet there is irony that where they begin their new realtionship is also where part of his past lies.
Chapter 20- After spending some time at the van der Luydens, May and Newland travel to Europe. They visit around but not Italy because Newland says that he couldn't picture May there. May is also scared because Newland has foreign friends and she does not know the customs and traditions, such as what to wear for when they go out. He gave up trying to educate May about her freedom becase he felt that it was unless trying to free someone who didn't know they weren't already free. Newland, although he has travelled, before realizes that he dislikes European culture because it is so different from his at home in New York. The Archers eventually go to a dinner party where Newland meets Monsieur Riviere, who has very different views that those of Newland. After dinner Newland mentions the man to May, who laughs and says that she finds him too common, Newland realizes that laughing is May's way of resolving a difference in opinion.
Chapter 20- After spending some time at the van der Luydens, May and Newland travel to Europe. They visit around but not Italy because Newland says that he couldn't picture May there. May is also scared because Newland has foreign friends and she does not know the customs and traditions, such as what to wear for when they go out. He gave up trying to educate May about her freedom becase he felt that it was unless trying to free someone who didn't know they weren't already free. Newland, although he has travelled, before realizes that he dislikes European culture because it is so different from his at home in New York. The Archers eventually go to a dinner party where Newland meets Monsieur Riviere, who has very different views that those of Newland. After dinner Newland mentions the man to May, who laughs and says that she finds him too common, Newland realizes that laughing is May's way of resolving a difference in opinion.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Chapter 17-18
Chapter 17- Upon his return, Newland learns that while he was away Ellen called on his mother. Nothing important happened however. Newland goes to visit Mrs. Mingott,and they discuss how May wants a long engagement. Mrs. Mingott then laughingly asks him why he didn't just marry Ellen, who wouldn't mind a short engagement. He responds that she wasn't around to be married. Then Ellen appears and they all talk for a short while, before Newland leaves however he asks if he can call on her tomorrow night, and she says yes. The next evening he arrives at Ellen's to find he is not alone. Ned Winsett, Medora Manson, and Medora's friend Dr. Carver are there too. Then Ned and the doctor leave and Newland talks with Medora while Ellen gets ready to go to another party at Mrs. Struthers's. Newland also learns that Ellen will be moving, but doesn't state where. Then Medora and Newland get a chance to talk and Medora first thanks Newland for convincing Ellen not to get a divorce, but says that she received a letter from Ellen's husband, Count Olenski, in which he stated that he wished she would come back to him. Newland is shocked and horrified and says that he would rather see her dead than go back to him. Medora only points to a bouquet of flowers (from a suitor, possibly Beaufort) asking if he would rather her be situations like that (implying adultery).
Chapter 18- Ellen enters the room and demands to know who sent the flowers and that they be sent away. She decides to send them to the Winsett's because Mrs. Winsett is ill, but she asks that it be anonymous. Then Medora's carriage arrives and she leaves. Newland tells Ellen of the letter from her husband which she doesn't seem to care about. They then discuss Archer's engagement and how May thinks there is another woman, yet she thinks it has to do with his secret affair from the past, but really it is about her cousin, Ellen. Archer says that if he could he would marry Ellen instead. She replies that he is the one who has made it impossible for that to happen by advising her against a divorce and by marrying her cousin. Newland is shocked once again, he says that he could still break his engagement and that she could still get a divorce, yet she won't allow this to happen. Then a telegram arrives from May telling Ellen that she was moving her wedding up sooner. Also once Newland returns home he gets a similar telegram that states he will be married the first week in April, which he realizes is in one month!!!!
Chapter 18- Ellen enters the room and demands to know who sent the flowers and that they be sent away. She decides to send them to the Winsett's because Mrs. Winsett is ill, but she asks that it be anonymous. Then Medora's carriage arrives and she leaves. Newland tells Ellen of the letter from her husband which she doesn't seem to care about. They then discuss Archer's engagement and how May thinks there is another woman, yet she thinks it has to do with his secret affair from the past, but really it is about her cousin, Ellen. Archer says that if he could he would marry Ellen instead. She replies that he is the one who has made it impossible for that to happen by advising her against a divorce and by marrying her cousin. Newland is shocked once again, he says that he could still break his engagement and that she could still get a divorce, yet she won't allow this to happen. Then a telegram arrives from May telling Ellen that she was moving her wedding up sooner. Also once Newland returns home he gets a similar telegram that states he will be married the first week in April, which he realizes is in one month!!!!
Chapter 15-16
Chapter 15- Newland spends some time at the Chiverses, then goes out to find Ellen. He asks her why she left New York and she seems scared to answer and tries to avoid the question. They enter an old house so they can have some privacy to talk about what he asked her. While he waited for her answer, he imagined her running toward him and throwing her arms around his neck. Yet, before she can answer, Beaufort shows up and Newland is forced to wait for another time. He goes home and a few days later gets a note from Ellen asking to see him, yet he doesn't respond and instead packs his bags for St. Augustine to visit May.
Chapter 16- Newland is excited to see May, yet when she is talking he finds his mind wondering. While eating breakfast with the rest of the Welland family, they discuss Ellen . May's mother blames Ellen's behavior to her European upbringing. Newland is thanked by the Welland's for convincing Ellen not to sue for divorce, but he is secretly annoyed. He imagines what would happen if he told Mrs. Welland that by not allowing Ellen to get a divorce she was really becoming Beaufort's mistress, instead of a good wife. He imagines her face breaking its normal facade, and wonders if May will look like that when she is older. Newland once again talks to May hoping to convince her to move the wedding closer. She takes it the wrong way and thinks that he wants to marry her before he changes his mind. She also thinks that he still loves his mistress from the past, because since the announced engagement he has acted differently toward her. Newland is shocked, yet reassures her that that is not true and she acts normal again. However he wonders how she could possibly act like nothing had happened.
Chapter 16- Newland is excited to see May, yet when she is talking he finds his mind wondering. While eating breakfast with the rest of the Welland family, they discuss Ellen . May's mother blames Ellen's behavior to her European upbringing. Newland is thanked by the Welland's for convincing Ellen not to sue for divorce, but he is secretly annoyed. He imagines what would happen if he told Mrs. Welland that by not allowing Ellen to get a divorce she was really becoming Beaufort's mistress, instead of a good wife. He imagines her face breaking its normal facade, and wonders if May will look like that when she is older. Newland once again talks to May hoping to convince her to move the wedding closer. She takes it the wrong way and thinks that he wants to marry her before he changes his mind. She also thinks that he still loves his mistress from the past, because since the announced engagement he has acted differently toward her. Newland is shocked, yet reassures her that that is not true and she acts normal again. However he wonders how she could possibly act like nothing had happened.
Chapter 11- 14
Chapter 11- Mr. Letterblair, one of Newland's bosses at the attorney office offers Newland a chance at helping Ellen. He is unsure at first thinking that he won't get involved in a case that is also personal and then finds out that, he was requested by her family, and by New York standards can't refuse. He decides that he will pay Ellen a visit to understand what she is thinking, after he reads a letter that gives evidence of Ellen being unfaithful to her husband and having an affair. Mr. Letterblair says that all of Ellen's family is against the divorce and that she's not doing it for the money either. Then Mr. Letterblair asks Newland if he would talk to her about not suing for divorce, Newland only says that he will wait to get her opinion first.
Chapter 12- When Newland arrives at Ellen's, Beaufort is there, and they are talking of art. Ellen dismisses him in a nice way, so that she and Newland can discuss the divorce. Ellen says that she only wants to be free of her husband, and to wipe out her past. Ellen seems unable to understand that New York high society doesn't forget anything. She thinks that she can charm people into liking her, which she is very good at, but doesn't realize that her past will not be forgotten. Newland tells her how divorce is looked upon poorly by New York's social standards even if it is allowed she would be practically shunned. Ellen asks if her freedom means nothing but sadly in New York, that is true. She says that whatever Newland feels is best is what she will do.
Chapter 13- Not too much happens in this chapter. Newland goes to the theatre and sees a play which reminds him of himself leaving Ellen's home, even though in the play a man is leaving his lover. He tells himself that it is because she life is like a tragedy, like the actresses. He also begins thinking that Ellen's husband's accusations about the affair could be true. Also, May is away for part of the winter, where she spends the time with her family in St. Augustine. However he receives a letter from May asking him to be kind to Ellen, because she is still lonely.
Chapter 14- Leaving the theatre Newland runs into his friend Ned Winsett. Ned is not the richest man in New York, but Newland feels like he is one of the few he can have a "clever" conversation with. Ned asks of Ellen because she has somehow befriended Ned's son, and they are neighbors. Newland writes a letter to Ellen asking if he could visit her, three days later he gets a note that she has "run away" to Skuytercliff. He accepts an invitation to a home nearby (the Chiverses), where he would surely run into her.
Chapter 12- When Newland arrives at Ellen's, Beaufort is there, and they are talking of art. Ellen dismisses him in a nice way, so that she and Newland can discuss the divorce. Ellen says that she only wants to be free of her husband, and to wipe out her past. Ellen seems unable to understand that New York high society doesn't forget anything. She thinks that she can charm people into liking her, which she is very good at, but doesn't realize that her past will not be forgotten. Newland tells her how divorce is looked upon poorly by New York's social standards even if it is allowed she would be practically shunned. Ellen asks if her freedom means nothing but sadly in New York, that is true. She says that whatever Newland feels is best is what she will do.
Chapter 13- Not too much happens in this chapter. Newland goes to the theatre and sees a play which reminds him of himself leaving Ellen's home, even though in the play a man is leaving his lover. He tells himself that it is because she life is like a tragedy, like the actresses. He also begins thinking that Ellen's husband's accusations about the affair could be true. Also, May is away for part of the winter, where she spends the time with her family in St. Augustine. However he receives a letter from May asking him to be kind to Ellen, because she is still lonely.
Chapter 14- Leaving the theatre Newland runs into his friend Ned Winsett. Ned is not the richest man in New York, but Newland feels like he is one of the few he can have a "clever" conversation with. Ned asks of Ellen because she has somehow befriended Ned's son, and they are neighbors. Newland writes a letter to Ellen asking if he could visit her, three days later he gets a note that she has "run away" to Skuytercliff. He accepts an invitation to a home nearby (the Chiverses), where he would surely run into her.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 8- Many at the dinner felt that the Countess Olenska had "lost her looks." Ellen showed up late and flustered, yet unaware that she was breaking multiple "New York rules," by her actions. The Duke and the Countess had a long conversation in the corner when they should of greeted many guests before talking to one person in particular but apparently they knew each other from dinners in Europe. After when Ellen is talking to Newland she says that the Duke is "the dullest man she has ever met," which is certainly something never said. They discuss the engagement and Ellen admits that she wishes that she remembered all the customs so she would stop making mistakes, just as the conversation ends, Ellen tells Newland to come by the next day after 5.
Chapter 9- Newland went to Countess Olenska's house the next day, which was all wrong by New York standards. First of all it was on the wrong part of the city in a strange area, then it was decorated oddly, also Newland was waiting quite awhile before Ellen arrived. Ellen again hints that she would like to know all the customs of New York. His first idea is to stay away from Beaufort. Then the Duke from the party arrived with Mrs. Struthers, they invite Ellen to Mrs. Struthers house tomorrow for music and fun, and Ellen accepts. When Newland leaves he buys sends flowers to May, as usual but also sends some yellow roses to Ellen, but without a name.
Chapter 10- The next day, Newland and May go for a walk together in the park, when Newland talks of eloping May being a good girl laughs and changes the subject. Yet he still thinks about eloping and change. That night Janey came into his room saying that his mother was awfully angry because Ellen had gone to Mrs. Struthers's party, but she shouldn't of because Mrs. Struthers is too "common." The van der Luydens come to visit, who heard where Ellen was and want to try and help her learn of New York's many ways.
Chapter 9- Newland went to Countess Olenska's house the next day, which was all wrong by New York standards. First of all it was on the wrong part of the city in a strange area, then it was decorated oddly, also Newland was waiting quite awhile before Ellen arrived. Ellen again hints that she would like to know all the customs of New York. His first idea is to stay away from Beaufort. Then the Duke from the party arrived with Mrs. Struthers, they invite Ellen to Mrs. Struthers house tomorrow for music and fun, and Ellen accepts. When Newland leaves he buys sends flowers to May, as usual but also sends some yellow roses to Ellen, but without a name.
Chapter 10- The next day, Newland and May go for a walk together in the park, when Newland talks of eloping May being a good girl laughs and changes the subject. Yet he still thinks about eloping and change. That night Janey came into his room saying that his mother was awfully angry because Ellen had gone to Mrs. Struthers's party, but she shouldn't of because Mrs. Struthers is too "common." The van der Luydens come to visit, who heard where Ellen was and want to try and help her learn of New York's many ways.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7- Ok so basically not too much happens in Chapter 7. The Archers visit the van der Luyden's hoping they would do something to convince people to come to meet Ellen. But the van der Luyden's have plans that evening and instead invite Ellen to a very selective formal dinner intended for only the most important people, honoring the Duke of St. Austrey, who is Lousia can der Luyden's cousin. There was a lot of fancy talk concerning gossip about the Leffertses,some of which i found boring.
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