September 1896: Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

Summary of Chapter 6: September 1896 (The Dictionary of Lost Words)

Esme, now fourteen, experiences her first menstrual period, which fills her with shame and confusion. Lizzie, the kitchen maid, helps her and calls it “The Curse.” Esme later looks up the word “menstruous” in the dictionary and feels it describes her own sense of pollution. She secretly reads a letter from her aunt Ditte, which her father had kept private, about the word “literately” and about a boarding school in Scotland. At a school assembly, Esme wins prizes and learns she will attend Cauldshiels School for Young Ladies. The chapter ends with her departure from home, receiving farewells from the Scriptorium staff and Mrs. Ballard.

Key Events

Esme gets her first period and feels ashamed; Lizzie helps her and calls it “The Curse.”
Esme searches the dictionary for “menstruous” and finds it defined as “horribly filthy or polluted,” which resonates with her feelings.
Da receives a letter from Ditte but does not share its contents; Esme later reads it secretly.
Ditte’s letter mentions the word “literately” and suggests Esme attend a boarding school in Scotland.
At school, Esme wins the history and English prizes; the headmistress announces her departure to Cauldshiels.
Esme leaves home, with farewells from Dr. Murray, Mrs. Ballard, and others; Lizzie stays in the kitchen, visibly upset.

Character Development

Esme: Moves from childhood to adolescence, feeling isolated by her bodily change and the secrecy surrounding it. She becomes more aware of how language can define and demean women.
Da (Harry): Remains emotionally distant, keeping Ditte’s letter private and not discussing Esme’s transition.
Lizzie: Provides practical comfort and uses colloquial terms like “The Curse,” contrasting with the clinical dictionary language.
Mrs. Ballard: Shows maternal care, giving Esme rock cakes and a warm hug, symbolizing a safe haven.
Dr. Murray: Offers a sketchbook and pencils, encouraging Esme’s intellectual growth.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Shame and the Female Body: Esme’s period is treated as a secret and a curse, reflecting societal taboos.
Language and Power: The dictionary’s definition of “menstruous” as “filthy” shows how words can shape self-perception.
Education and Opportunity: The boarding school represents a chance for Esme to expand her world beyond the Scriptorium.
Leaving Home: The farewell scene underscores the emotional cost of growth and change.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Esme’s reaction to her first period reflect societal attitudes?

Esme feels ashamed and hides the event, mirroring the Victorian era’s silence about menstruation. Lizzie’s term “The Curse” reinforces the idea that it is a burden.

What does the word “menstruous” reveal about language and women?

The dictionary defines it as “horribly filthy or polluted,” showing how language can encode negative judgments about women’s bodies. Esme feels this definition describes her, illustrating the power of words.

Why does Da keep Ditte’s letter private?

Da may be protecting Esme from the news about boarding school or from Ditte’s candid remarks about Mr. Crane. His secrecy also highlights his emotional distance.

How does the farewell scene show Esme’s relationships?

Mrs. Ballard’s hug and Lizzie’s tears show deep affection, while the Scriptorium men’s formality suggests Esme’s place is not fully among them.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks Esme’s coming of age and her first conscious encounter with the limitations placed on women’s language and bodies. It sets up her departure for Scotland, which will broaden her perspective and fuel her later quest to reclaim lost words.

Analysis

The chapter juxtaposes the clinical, male-dominated dictionary definitions with Esme’s lived experience. The word “menstruous” is defined in terms of pollution, yet Esme’s own body is natural. This contrast highlights how language can alienate women from their own experiences. Ditte’s letter introduces the word “literately,” a term coined by a woman, but it is deemed unworthy of inclusion—foreshadowing the novel’s theme of women’s contributions being erased. The farewell scene, with Lizzie remaining in the kitchen, underscores the class and gender boundaries that Esme is beginning to question.