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Part One: Chapter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Voyage in the Dark, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Homesickness, Memory, and Belonging
Sexism, Love, and Power
Race and Identity
Money and Happiness
Summary
Analysis
In her new lodging, Anna falls ill. As she slowly recovers, she tries to draft a letter to Walter but finds herself unable to find the right words. She tries to show him that she truly loves him, apparently sensing that he doesn’t believe she feels so dearly for him. Every time she writes a draft, she ends up discarding it. Finally, another boarder at the house interrupts her efforts by entering her room and introducing herself as Ethel Matthews. A slightly older woman, she claims to be a trained nurse, which is why she makes an effort to clean up Anna’s room, chastising the landlady for being so sloppy and not taking better care of Anna during her illness. As Anna talks to her, Ethel keeps her eyes on Anna’s expensive coat.
Ethel’s interest in Anna’s coat is a sign that she’s mainly drawn to Anna because she thinks she has money. At the same time, Anna isn’t necessarily in a position to turn away kindness at this moment in her life, since she’s living alone after a sad breakup and doesn’t have much to keep herself occupied. She therefore doesn’t turn away from Ethel’s attention, and it’s unclear whether or not she recognizes her new friend’s interest in money.
Themes
Ethel takes Anna to the movies. Anna isn’t particularly interested in the film, but Ethel wants to see it because she knows the lead female actress. Afterwards, she disparages the young woman and hopes Anna will agree with her criticisms, but Anna thinks the actress did a good job. Back at the boardinghouse, Ethel invites Anna into her room and asks what’s really wrong with her—is she pregnant? If so, Ethel might be able to help her. But Anna assures her she’s not pregnant. Ethel later mentions that she’s a masseuse, though she goes out of her way to insist that she’s a respectable masseuse, unlike “some of these dirty foreigners” who do massage.
Ethel’s comment about “dirty foreigners” underscores her prejudiced worldview. Her prejudice would surely apply to Anna, too, if it weren’t for Ethel’s interest in Anna’s money (which, of course, is misguided, since Anna doesn’t actually have much money). Because Anna is from the West Indies, she’s technically a “foreigner.” Because she’s white, though, Ethel doesn’t see her as such, which spotlights Ethel’s racism as well as Anna’s ability to benefit from her own whiteness (despite the fact that she would rather be Black).
Themes
Ethel talks about how much she dislikes foreigners, but Anna doesn’t know what to say in response. Eventually, Ethel wonders why Anna is staying in such a terrible boardinghouse even though she has a beautiful and expensive coat—a coat she could easily sell in the markets for a large amount. When Anna points out that Ethel is staying in the same exact boardinghouse, Ethel says that she’s only there because her flat—which is in a better part of town—is under renovation.
Finally, Ethel brings up what she’s really interested in: Anna’s expensive coat. Her question makes it clear that she has gravitated toward Anna because she thinks she’s wealthy. Before taking Anna under her wing, though, she has to figure out why, exactly, a wealthy woman would be staying in a rundown boardinghouse.
Themes
Anna says she doesn’t need to be in this boardinghouse, claiming that she can get as much money as she wants whenever it suits her. Her comment interests Ethel, who speaks admiringly about Anna’s youthful looks and then suggests that she should live in one of her spare rooms once the flat is fully renovated. She wants to start a manicure and massage business—she was going to start it with one of her friends, as long as the friend put 25 pounds into the business. But she’d rather partner with Anna instead of her friend. Anna says she doesn’t have 25 pounds, though, so Ethel suggests that she sell her fancy coat. When Anna refuses, Ethel drops the matter, though she urges Anna to at least come see the flat when it’s done.
Ethel’s intentions are pretty obvious: she has targeted Anna as someone who might give her money to help start a massage business. But she doesn’t push Anna too hard at first, most likely recognizing that this would only scare her off. Instead, she plants the idea in Anna’s head and then gives her some space, undoubtedly hoping that Anna will eventually take her up on her offer. Once again, then, Anna has entered into a transactional relationship.
Themes
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