Women In Love

The wedding guests (except for the sisters) go to the Criches’ home, Shortlands. Gerald is the host of the party. The women at the party seem more excited than the men. During the dinner, Mrs. Crich talks to Rupert about how she doesn’t know all of the guests, and they talk about whether strangers are important or not. Mrs. Crich criticizes Gerald, and Rupert joins the conversation between the groom (Lupton), Gerald, and Hermione. They discuss nationality, race, and business, as well as freedom and possessions.

Laura Crich asks for toasts, and Rupert gives one, though he is feeling antisocial. After dinner, Rupert, Marshall (a brother-in-law), Gerald, and Lupton go out by the cows and talk about the nature of the soul. Then they talk more generally about individual actions versus collective actions, and the narrator muses on their superficial view of male friendship.

This chapter begins with Ursula teaching a botany lesson about catkins, a type of flower, to her students. Rupert comes into her classroom and notes that catkins are red and yellow and that the students should color them. Ursula, flustered, sends a student for crayons, and Hermione comes into the classroom. She admits to following Rupert’s car. Rupert points out the colors of the catkins to Hermione as well. She studies the red color intently until the class is dismissed.

Hermione asks Ursula about her sister, and Ursula admits that Gudrun doesn’t enjoy being back in town. Hermione invites the sisters to visit Breadalby, and Ursula agrees. They talk about Gudrun’s art being about small things. Hermione then asks Rupert if it is a good idea to educate the kids or if learning will impede spontaneity and their instincts by turning experience into analysis. Rupert notes Hermione’s love of knowledge and argues that her idea of passion is merely intellectual. He believes she has a strong will and desire for power, but she lacks sensuality and spontaneity. Ursula asks Rupert if he desires sensuality, and he says it is all he wants.

When Rupert begins talking about abandoning the intellect and looking for the demon, Hermione calls him a satanist. She then turns to Ursula and talks more about their upcoming visit. Ursula is impressed with Hermione’s confidence and charm. Meanwhile, Rupert continues to talk about abandoning self-consciousness and individual identity for sensuality. Ursula thinks people are sensual without trying to be, and Rupert calls this sensuousness rather than sensuality. Hermione interrupts, noting that Ursula probably would like to have tea. Rupert and Hermione leave the classroom, and Ursula cries.

During a break in the rain, the sisters go for a walk toward Willey Water. When they arrive at the lake, they see Gerald swimming. Gudrun envies his freedom; as a man, he can swim spontaneously in the lake while she cannot. Ursula doesn’t like the idea of being in cold water. They continue to discuss the social restrictions placed on women, then talk about Gerald modernizing the Shortlands property. Ursula tells Gudrun that Gerald shot his brother accidentally when they were children, and they debate about the inherent violence of boys playing together.

Ursula and Gudrun meet up with Laura, Gerald, and Hermione. Ursula finds Hermione’s behavior annoying, but Gudrun defends her. In response, Ursula declares that they are smarter and better dressed than Hermione. Gudrun agrees and goes on to condemn women who try to carefully follow social norms. The sisters agree that they want to be different rather than normal. Ursula claims to not care what the other women think of her, and Gudrun envies her for this.

The chapter ends with Ursula thinking about the ordinariness of her life. She has hope that it will blossom beyond being a schoolteacher, eventually.

On his way to London, Rupert runs into Gerald, and they agree to ride together on the train. Gerald tells Rupert about an op-ed in the newspaper that argues people want a new religion. Rupert thinks all of society must be destroyed to make a better life. They argue about class—represented by objects like pianos—and the perception of productivity. Rupert tells Gerald he hates him and asks what his life’s purpose is; Gerald enjoys things like learning and having new experiences.

Rupert believes that love is the center of life. Conversely, Gerald does not think that life has a center but is held up by social codes. Rupert thinks love is the only pure thing left and laments not finding someone he loves. Gerald likes debating with Rupert but doesn’t plan to allow Rupert to influence his thinking. In response, Rupert feels distant and condemns all people. He focuses on being sick of the artists and students—outsiders—in London.

The two men agree to get together while they are both in London. Rupert quotes lines of the poem “Love Among the Ruins” by Robert Browning and says he feels like people are all damned. Gerald is more optimistic.

Later, Gerald meets Rupert at a cafe in London, and Rupert introduces him to a girl named Miss Darrington, who is also called Pussum. Gerald is attracted to her. They chat, and she talks about finding a job and avoiding Julius Halliday. Another man tries to come talk to her, but she tells him she is busy. Gerald and Rupert talk about Gerald, and Pussum becomes interested in him as well. Halliday arrives and is angry that Pussum returned to London from the country. She ignores him and asks Gerald about his travels overseas.

Then she confesses that she is pregnant. Gerald orders oysters at her request, though Halliday objects to the combination of oysters and brandy. Pussum agrees to champagne, and they are joined by a man named Maxim. They discuss their fears, such as Julius being afraid of Pussum and Pussum being afraid of black beetles. While they are discussing fear of blood, a young man comes to their table and makes rude comments to Pussum. She retaliates by cutting his hand with a knife from the table. Halliday becomes ill, and the man leaves.

Gerald asks Pussum if her nickname is due to her being catlike, and she notes that Rupert is unusually quiet. After dinner, Halliday invites everyone over to his place, and the five of them take a taxi together. Pussum holds Gerald’s hand in the cab. An employee of Halliday’s makes tea for them; then the two of them get into an argument about money. Halliday borrows a shilling from Gerald and gives it to the employee. Gerald looks at the different pieces of art and piano in the flat, and they drink tea together.

Rupert goes off to bed, and Halliday says Gerald should stay for the night as well; they can have the bedrooms, and Halliday will sleep in a room with Maxim. Pussum goes into the other room, and it’s implied that Gerald will join her. Before he does, he smokes cigarettes with the other men, who approve of his sleeping with Pussum.

The following morning, Gerald wakes up with Pussum still sleeping next to him. He goes to the sitting room and finds that Halliday and Maxim are both naked there. Halliday gets Gerald towels and wishes they lived in a warmer climate so people could spend more time in the nude. They then talk about Gerald’s travels to warmer climates in the Amazon. Rupert comes out of the bathroom, also naked, and Gerald asks his opinion about one of the art pieces in the flat, depicting an African woman giving birth, which reminds him of Pussum. Rupert likes the piece, and they argue about the nature of high art.

After using the bathroom, Gerald goes back to the bedroom to find Pussum, who is unhappy. After an uncomfortable exchange, Gerald decides to break things off with her. The men have breakfast together, and eventually Pussum joins them; Gerald quickly leaves after she arrives.

That night, the men go back to the flat. However, the dynamic between them is different. Gerald is generally unliked, notices, and despite this, stays a couple more days. Rupert, on the other hand, leaves town. On the fourth day, Gerald and Halliday get into an argument. Gerald threatens to hit Halliday but doesn’t and leaves town. He thinks about giving Pussum some money in the future and about how she wants to marry Halliday instead of someone like him; Gerald cannot understand it, because he looks down on the bohemian art scene in London.