Previous
Chapter 16
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in What Was She Thinking?: Notes on a Scandal, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Obsession and Narration
Sex and Sexism
Isolation vs. Intimacy
Class, Exoticization, and Aspiration
Aging and Parenthood
Summary
Analysis
Forty-eight hours later, Sheba is still refusing to speak to Barbara, or even to be in the same room as her. Meanwhile, Barbara is feverishly cleaning the house in preparation for Eddie’s return. Fortunately, Mrs. Taylor is going to France for a month, and she has reluctantly allowed Barbara and Sheba to stay in her house. As Barbara gets ready for the trip, she worries that Sheba will not allow her to join. But if Sheba refuses, “who will do the shopping and cook her meals?” Barbara wonders. She is not sure she can “bear” living alone again.
As Sheba spirals out of control, Barbara takes on an increasingly maternal role and set of duties. But as Barbara furiously cooks and cleans, it becomes evident just how much this proto motherhood is born of Barbara’s own terrible fear of being alone once more.
Active
Themes
