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Book 8, Chapter 1
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Wings of the Dove, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Class Hierarchy in English Society
Illness and Mortality
Moral Ambiguity and Responsibility
Transactional Relationships
Secrecy, Deception, and Misunderstanding
Summary
Analysis
The next day, Merton and the rest of the group go to Milly’s rented palace as usual, but Milly says she is not feeling up to seeing them. Through a messenger, she encourages them to enjoy the day without her. The group exchanges apprehensive looks before leaving the house. At the Piazza San Marco, while Maud and Mrs. Stringham are in a shop, Merton and Kate talk. Merton tells Kate that he wants to meet more frequently, and Kate replies that they don’t get much out of their meetings because the visits are always cut short. Kate tells Merton that he could help their cause by talking to Maud about Milly and telling her (Maud) that he enjoys Milly’s company. Kate believes that might help Maud be less suspicious of Kate and Merton.
Milly’s illness continues to take a toll on her physical health. This passage also further develops Milly’s rented palace as a symbol of her health and vitality. In this case, Milly is feeling ill, so she stays in her palace. The doors of that palace remain open to let others in, though, even if Milly doesn’t go to see them. That suggests that Milly is still well enough to receive people into her house, even if her illness keeps her from spending time with them. However, this passage isn’t buoyed, as a previous scene involving the palace was, by a description of how much Milly enjoys spending time alone there, suggesting that Milly’s illness is impacting her more and more.
Active
Themes
Merton then asks Kate if she knows why Lord Mark arrived the night before and then left suddenly on the first available train. Kate says that Lord Mark came to propose marriage to Milly, who rejected him. Merton can’t believe Lord Mark’s foolishness. Merton then tells Kate that he can’t go on with the plan to seduce Milly without assurances from Kate that she truly loves him. Kate asks Merton what he means, and Merton says he wants Kate to come to his room at night. Kate doesn’t answer directly, but when she sees Maud and Mrs. Stringham leaving the shop, she asks Merton to take his arm out of hers, so Maud and Mrs. Stringham won’t see them being affectionate with each other.
Active
Themes
