In this section of the book, Charles goes through yet another serious of questions about love, life, and himself. His situation with Sarah (the outcast) progresses in the direction we had all predicted, but what are his true feelings for her? When he spots her early in this section, “there rose in him, and inextinguishably, a desire to protect.” (Ch 31) The Victorian mindset does not escape Charles as he begins to understand his feelings for her. This idea of a man protecting a woman is something that is carried into today’s culture, but on a different level. Protection alone does not define feelings, women want to be loved not adored. Sarah is wise beyond her time, but although Charles fights it he does seem stuck in the era. Much like any women would, she hopes for him to understand, “…it was not too late: a truth beyond his truths, an emotion beyond his emotions, a history beyond all his conceptions of history.” (ch 33) Charles, much like any man, is oblivious and therefore can only promise that he “shall never forget you.” (ch 33) Perhaps, I am being a bit hard on Charles, after all he is only a Victorian man under societies restraints. I cannot understand, however, how he feels about her. Love? Connection? There is the greatest possibility, that he loves her, but is not in love with her. The feelings he shows, and attempts to suppress mirror that of concern rather than only love. When the thoughts of marriage are questioned, I find it shockingly natural to see Sam’s view, “It is easier, in short, to be dishonest for two than for one.” (42) Charles, however, feels oppositely, “He was almost invisible, he did not exist, and this gave him a sense of freedom, but a terrible sense, for he had in reality lost it …” (Ch 38)

Through this reading I gained a deeper understanding of the Victorian era through some defining statements. “Where there was an enormous progressive and liberation in every other field of human activity; and nothing but tyranny in the most personal and fundamental.” (ch 35) The outlook on life was anything but sunny, and can be best described with the apple metaphor: “But if you can only enjoy one apple a day, there’s a great deal to be said against living in an orchard of the wretched things; you might even find apples sweeter if you were allowed only one a week.” (35) That may be true, but in today’s society it is almost the opposite. There is a good chance those lifestyle choices link to our generations perpetual boredom almost instantaneously after discovering something “new.” Furthermore, I was intrigued by the idea of reading people by the innkeeper. “She classified those who stood in her little office off the hall accordingly…” and decided how much she would charge them (ch 36). I linked this idea with shopping when we visit India. None of the outfits ever have price tags, the shopkeeper simply tells you them as he pulls out more and more for you to choose from. Every time we head out to buy fancy outfits, my mother and aunts always joke with me, “Mita, don’t say anything. If you like something quietly tell us, don’t tell him.” I always get a little bitter, because I honestly believe my Gujurati skills are not that bad, but everyone believes the minute I open my mouth he will know we are from America and all the prices will jump through the roof. It is a practice I only associate with India, which seems like a different world, and it astonishes me to see it being used in the Victorian times. I guess it too was a different world.