The Blithedale Romance: Chapter 19 Summary & Analysis

For the rest of the day, Coverdale wonders why Zenobia and Priscilla are in town instead of at Blithedale. He feels insulted by Zenobia’s decision to shut the curtain. In fact, Coverdale thinks Zenobia should have been appreciative of his intellect and heart, both of which compel him to take an interest in her life and relationships. Furthermore, Coverdale believes that he is particularly fit to observe and judge both Zenobia and Hollingsworth because even though he’d judge and punish them for their wrongs, he would appreciate their good qualities and their struggle against temptation. More importantly, Coverdale would still love them. While he thinks, Coverdale stays near his window and occasionally looks back at Zenobia’s rooms to no avail—the curtain remains closed. Towards evening Coverdale realizes that, as their friend, he has a right to visit them, so he impulsively rushes over to the boardinghouse.

A servant leads Coverdale to Zenobia’s rooms. When he enters Zenobia laughs, but Coverdale detects some scorn in her manner. Zenobia jokes about Coverdale watching her and her decision to close the curtain. Coverdale takes her hand and notes the lack of warmth between them, which is so different from how they first greeted each other in Blithedale. Her appearance has also changed—she’s dressed up in finery and her usual flower is made up of jewels. Coverdale says it feels like years since they were together in Blithedale and he asks if she ever really considered herself part of the group. Zenobia coldly replies that only narrow minds restrict themselves to one idea. Coverdale is bewildered by both Zenobia’s manner and the opulent room they’re in. Coverdale feels as if he’s seeing her real character: passionate, unrefined, and incapable or simplicity or good taste.

In the next instant, Coverdale realizes that it’s only right for Zenobia to make herself as beautiful as she wants, but he always wonders who the true Zenobia is: the woman of luxury he meets in town, or the simple beauty he knew in Blithedale. Coverdale says their time together in Blithedale feels like a dream and asks if she’s abandoned the project. Zenobia questions why he would think this and says it’s ridiculous to limit one’s self to one mode of life when there are so many available. However, she assures him that she thinks no less of people who do only embrace one lifestyle. Coverdale is irritated by what seems like unfair criticism of the people who have truly devoted their entire lives to Blithedale. He wants to make Zenobia reveal her true self instead of acting a part.

Coverdale coldly tells Zenobia that her description of single-minded people reminds him of Hollingsworth and his nonsensical philanthropic plans. As Coverdale predicted, Zenobia flares up in passionate anger, thus betraying her true feelings for Hollingsworth. Zenobia quickly recovers from her anger and scornfully tells him that while blind adherence to one idea can be ridiculous, great men only attain greatness through devotion to one cause. However, she supposes Coverdale wouldn’t know anything about that, and so it’s only natural that he’d think Hollingsworth is absurd instead of heroic. Coverdale doesn’t respond to this but asks Zenobia if she brought Priscilla. He mentions that he always worried about Priscilla spending so much time with Hollingsworth. Coverdale observes that Hollingsworth could never be happy with an independent woman, only one he could absorb into himself, and he mentions how tenderly Hollingsworth treats Priscilla. Zenobia turns pale and calls Priscilla in.