Tom’s uncle, Jim Bellingham, advises Silas to place himself in the hands of his debtors; but Silas’ pride deters him, and he puts the house up for sale in an act of desperation. Silas cannot, however, part with this last concrete aspect of his life’s work and social dreams and […]
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After Silas tells Persis of these new developments, she remembers the slip of paper she has found and returns it to him. She asks who “Wm. M.” is. Silas says it is nothing, tears the paper into small pieces, and drops them in the fire. The next morning, Mrs. Lapham […]
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Analysis Penelope’s concern for her father helps her rise above her problems, as Silas does later by showing concern for the English settlers. The diversion of the theater shows that this is a realistic situation in which there are moments of reprieve and escape.
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Rogers, however, has contacted some English agents who wish to buy the mills. Not believing him, Silas gives him twenty-four hours to produce the parties. “You bring me a party that will give me enough for those mills to clear me of you, and I’ll talk to you,” Lapham says. […]
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He goes on to tell Persis that the mills Rogers has put up for collateral could have brought a good price until recently when a railroad took a ninety-nine-year lease on the only line going to them. If they decide to buy the mills, Rogers and Lapham would have to […]
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Tom visits Penelope, who is still quite perplexed. He learns of the mistake and tries to convince Penelope that she must not be silly like the girl in the book, Tears, Idle Tears. However, she will not let him touch her, saying, “No, no! I can’t let you-yet!” Analysis One […]
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Silas seeks the advice of Minister Sewell. He supports Silas’ opinion that Tom and Penelope should be married. Analysis After admitting his own lack of social grace, Lapham makes another realistic observation. He sees Penelope’s self-sacrifice as being excessive and, therefore, romantic and unrealistic. Mrs. Lapham knows that Silas and […]
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Trying to find a solution to the problem, Penelope suggests the possibility of giving up Tom. “I’ve read of cases where a girl gives up the man that loves her so as to make the other girl happy that the man doesn’t love. That might be done,” she says. “Your […]
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“Oh, it’s pretty easy to cry over a book,” says Penelope; “and that one is very natural till you come to the main point. Then the naturalness of all the rest makes that seem natural too; but I guess it’s rather forced.” “Her giving him up to the other one?” […]
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Analysis Silas is beginning to realize the reality of his social position. He says to Tom, “I was the only one that wasn’t a gentleman there! I disgraced you! I disgraced my family! I mortified your father before his friends!” Tom’s decision to help the Laphams is somewhat romantic and […]
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