Nightwood: “The Squatter” Summary & Analysis

Jenny Petherbridge is a middle-aged four-time widow. Jenny is small, visibly aging, and seems perpetually nervous. She’s one of those women who never looks good in fashionable clothing because she simultaneously looks old and like a child doing penance for something. She fills her house with other people’s belongings: a picture Robin took for Nora, another person’s wedding ring, books from other people, and so on. A fragile little woman, Jenny would undoubtedly die from shock if she were the first person to do anything. Listening to her share a story, other people get the distinct sense that she doesn’t really understand the importance of what she says. Jenny is obsessed with the idea of being important, of being the reason for things happening. Because Jenny wants to be the reason for things, she never succeeds in causing anything. Unable to think for herself, Jenny continually reiterates other people’s facts and stories.

Jenny’s other preoccupation is love—she desires love above all things but fails to get it. Her emotions, being shallow, prevent her from taking an active part in a great love, although she loves hearing stories of great loves throughout history. On the occasions when Jenny begins to fall in love, her words and actions are all second-hand things that she has learned from other people’s stories. After learning about Nora’s love for Robin, Jenny appropriated it like a “squatter.” Jenny learned about Robin and Nora from Robin herself, who frequently talks about Nora to other people. After hearing the story, it was inevitable that Jenny would make their love her own. This happens in 1927.

Whenever Jenny and Robin have a scheduled date, Jenny shows up early and Robin shows up late; Jenny leans forward across the table while Robin leans as far back as she can go. Although Jenny has actually known Robin for a year, she asks Matthew to introduce them at the opera. After the opera, Matthew, Robin, and Jenny go back to Jenny’s house together. There is already a group of people there, including Jenny’s young niece, who takes an interest in Robin. Jenny talks about this with Felix later. While Robin talks to Jenny’s niece, the Marchesa de Spada notes that some people will reappear in the world but that one person in the room was at the end of their existence. She says this while looking at Robin, which sends a shiver down Jenny’s spine. Jenny calls for some old-fashioned carriages so the party can take a ride outside.

Matthew seems confused by Jenny’s sudden call for carriages, but Robin seems to understand. She says that Jenny is in a panic and will get dressed in something old-fashioned. Matthew, who is uncomfortable but loves a scandal and gossip, tells Robin to hush. Sure enough, Jenny scurries out and reappears wearing a hoop skirt and bonnet. Robin, however, doesn’t pay attention because she’s busy talking to Jenny’s niece (whose name is revealed to be Sylvia). Three carriages wait outside for the party and Jenny, terrified that Robin might get in a different carriage with a tall Englishwoman from the party, hurries into an empty one and calls to Robin to come in. Seeing that Robin is about to get in another carriage with the Englishwoman, Jenny panics and begs them both to join her. Sylvia and Matthew are also in Jenny’s carriage.

Matthew tells the driver to go and the carriages start driving. Jenny sits in her corner, watching the other women with suspicion. Matthew, wondering how he ended up in a carriage full of women, says under his breath: “Just the girl that God forgot.” Matthew becomes overwhelmed by grief and calls to God out loud and then wonders what kind of person adopts his brother’s kids to try to be a mother. Without looking at him and hoping that a loud conversation will get Robin and the Englishwoman to stop whispering together, Jenny asks twice what Matthew said. Matthew tells Jenny that his father never liked him but warmed up a little when Matthew joined the military. Matthew believes his father understood Matthew’s fear that he’d be shot and go down crying like a girl, which is why his dad told him to conduct himself like a soldier.

Instead of listening to Matthew, Jenny cries and watches Robin stroke Sylvia’s hair. Noticing this, Matthew tells Jenny that crying makes her look like a single person reflected in 20 mirrors. Jenny cries harder and louder, trying to attract Robin’s attention. Matthew wonders who first thought of a woman loving another woman. Jenny points Robin out and says she brings love “down to a level.” When Matthew tries to sympathize, Jenny lashes out and says men don’t understand love, and her particular love is sacred. Robin finally looks up, tells Jenny to shut up, and says Jenny’s always talking without knowing anything. Jenny starts slapping Robin and keeps going even when Robin is on her knees on the floor. Jenny collapses on top of Robin until the carriage stops and Robin runs out. Not long after this, Nora and Robin separate, and Jenny and Robin go to America.