Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Other Two, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Social Etiquette and Illusions
Marriage and Gender Inequality
Social Advancement
Summary
Analysis
On Haskett’s next visit, he informs Waythorn that he is dissatisfied with Lily’s French governess. She “ain’t right,” and he would like her dismissed. Waythorn “stiffly” offers to pass along this information to Alice. Haskett doubts this will work, as Alice was unreceptive to his complaints the last time they spoke. Waythorn is shocked—his wife lied to him when she claimed that she hadn’t seen Haskett on his first visit. But Haskett is persistent. “You can remind Alice that, by the decree of the courts,” he says, “I am entitled to have a voice in Lily’s upbringing.” He then adds, “deprecatingly,” that while he is “not the kind to talk about enforcing his rights […] this business of the child is different. I’ve never let go there—and I never mean to.”
Haskett’s request, uttered “deprecatingly,” emphasizes his humble, unintimidating presence. The love for Lily that motivates Haskett stirs feelings of sympathy in Haskett, thus reinforcing Waythorn’s growing pity for Haskett and negative view of Alice. The discovery that Alice had lied to Waythorn about not seeing Haskett on his first visit reinforces this.
Themes
Waythorn is “shaken” by Haskett’s appeal. He reflects on all that Haskett has done for Lily, such as abandoning a “profitable business in Utica” for a “modest clerkship in a New York manufacturing house” in order to be nearer to her. Waythorn compares delving into these realizations about Haskett’s personality to “groping about with a dark-lantern in his wife’s past.” He thinks about the “ambiguities” of Haskett and Alice’s divorce and wonders what sort of “unsuspected compromise” might Haskett’s continuing legal rights to his daughter imply.
Waythorn anguishes some more over the previously established concerns and insecurities: he is disturbed by how little he knows about Alice’s past (and by how naïve he was to originally think not-knowing would be okay), he feels pity at Haskett’s love of Lily (and shame at originally judging this humble man when he knew nothing about him).
Themes
Waythorn relays Haskett’s request to Alice. Visibly angered, she asserts that the request “is very ungentlemanly of him.” Waythorn coldly tells his wife that it is her legal duty to honor Haskett’s request, and Alice begins to cry. Haskett’s request is honored, and Waythorn notes that he “did not abuse his rights.” Waythorn reflects further on Haskett’s humility and sincerity.
Waythorn responds coldly to Alice’s remark about Haskett’s request being “ungentlemanly” because he is still angry that she lied to him. Now that he’s discovered the truth about Haskett, Waythorn views Haskett as victim, Alice as villain, and aligns himself with the former.
Themes
Mr. Sellers goes to Europe to improve his health. Mr. Varick’s financial matter is still Waythorn’s responsibility, and they maintain their professional relationship. Waythorn runs into Varick and Alice talking with one another at a social ball. “I didn’t know you spoke to Varick,” Waythorn offers, uncomfortably. Alice insists that “it would be less awkward” if the Waythorns were to speak to Varick socially as well as professionally. Waythorn reluctantly agrees with his wife.
Although Waythorn is uncomfortable with his wife (and himself) engaging with Varick in their social lives, he agrees to it because he values etiquette and composure more than he cares about feeling internally at ease. If speaking to Varick will please their social circle, Waythorn will swallow his pride and make nice.
Themes
Literary Devices
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