Chapter 20 Summary, Themes, and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with a satirical poem from the Isis mocking Oxford’s female students, setting a tone of institutional misogyny that will echo throughout the events. On Wednesday, February 9, Otto attempts to join the hockey club to lift Dora’s spirits, but she has missed the first three practices of term. She finds the sport primitive—"one chases a rock with a stick"—and is irritated by the captain’s constant whistling. Despite her initial enthusiasm, she quickly abandons hockey and instead throws herself into mathematics, attending lectures by G. H. Hardy at New College and Professor Elliott at Magdalen. These lectures provide an intellectual escape, and she sleeps deeply on lecture days.
On a whim, Otto writes to Arthur Motson-Brown, inviting him to tea. He replies, suggesting Valentine’s Day at four p.m. Otto reflects on her romantic history, noting that she often loses respect for men once they profess love—one kiss reminded her of a mussel. She is also haunted by nightmares from her nursing days, dreaming of wounded soldiers, including Teddy and a redheaded veteran she occasionally sees on the streets. She privately doubts that Charles Baker has told Dora the truth about his war experiences, suspecting that the man Dora loved is effectively dead.
With Miss Jourdain’s permission, Otto and Miss Stroud visit Motson-Brown at Brasenose. The meeting is a disappointment: he talks mostly about himself, asks about Dora, and shows little genuine interest in Otto. As they leave, he presses a lewd postcard into her hand, which she returns to his pocket. She treats Miss Stroud to a hansom cab back to St. Hugh’s.
Meanwhile, Beatrice arrives late to a lecture on Russian politics at Hertford College, having been misdirected by students as a prank. The elderly don publicly humiliates her, telling her to leave and making sexist remarks about women’s intellectual inferiority. Beatrice is devastated but resolves to persist. The following week, she arrives early, sits in the back corner, and receives two anonymous gifts: a set of neatly written lecture notes and a snowdrop with the note "Take No Notice." She is moved by this unexpected kindness from male strangers.
On Friday, Beatrice and Marianne attend Thomas Hardy’s honorary degree ceremony at the Sheldonian, where Hardy receives a standing ovation. They then meet Otto at the Scala to watch Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid. There they encounter Ursula Singh, a third-year from Somerville known for her outspoken views on Indian independence and women’s rights. Ursula discusses the mistreatment of women students by dons, and Beatrice is captivated by her. Otto, however, dislikes Ursula, accusing her of ignoring Marianne and being a gossip. When Ursula asks about Dora, Otto abruptly ends the conversation, and the group leaves, discussing what to do about Dora.
Key Events
- Otto tries hockey but quits after finding it primitive and missing early practices.
- She immerses herself in mathematics lectures by Hardy and Elliott.
- Otto arranges tea with Arthur Motson-Brown for Valentine’s Day.
- She reflects on her romantic failures and recurring nightmares from nursing.
- Otto and Miss Stroud visit Motson-Brown at Brasenose; the meeting disappoints, and he gives Otto a lewd postcard.
- Beatrice is late to a Russian politics lecture and is ejected by a sexist don.
- The next week, Beatrice receives anonymous lecture notes and a snowdrop from male students.
- Beatrice and Marianne attend Thomas Hardy’s honorary degree ceremony.
- The group meets Ursula Singh at the Scala; Otto dislikes her, and they leave discussing Dora.
Character Development
Otto continues to grapple with her past and her present. Her attempt at hockey is half-hearted, driven by a desire to cheer up Dora rather than genuine interest. Her turn to mathematics represents an escape from emotional entanglements and the trauma of war. Her reflections on romance reveal a pattern of self-sabotage and disillusionment, while her nightmares show that nursing has left deep psychological scars. Her decision to visit Motson-Brown suggests a longing for distraction, but the encounter reinforces her cynicism. Her protective instinct toward Dora is evident when she deflects Ursula’s questions, showing loyalty even as she struggles to confront Dora’s situation directly.
Beatrice undergoes a significant shift. After being publicly humiliated, she initially feels furious and ashamed, but her determination to return to the lecture demonstrates resilience. The anonymous kindness she receives—notes and a snowdrop—restores her hope and faith in human decency. Her admiration for Ursula Singh grows, and she begins to question her own feelings, hinting at a possible same-sex attraction. Beatrice’s character is marked by a blend of vulnerability and growing confidence, as she navigates a hostile academic environment.
Marianne remains a steady, supportive presence. She encourages Beatrice not to give up after the lecture incident and later sobs through The Kid, showing her emotional sensitivity. She also raises the practical question of what to do about Dora, grounding the group’s concerns.
Ursula Singh is introduced as a bold, outspoken figure who challenges the status quo. Her critique of dons’ treatment of women and her eccentric dress sense make her a compelling presence. Beatrice is clearly drawn to her, while Otto is dismissive, creating tension within the group.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Misogyny at Oxford is a central theme, exemplified by the Isis poem, the don’s ejection of Beatrice, and Ursula’s comments about dons who ignore women. The chapter highlights the institutional barriers women face in academia.
Women’s fight for education is shown through Beatrice’s persistence and the support of her friends. Miss Jourdain’s earlier warning that women have "no room for error" underscores the high stakes.
War trauma and lingering effects are evident in Otto’s nightmares and her observation of the redheaded veteran. Her doubt about Charles Baker’s ability to tell Dora the truth reflects the psychological damage of war.
Romantic disillusionment is explored through Otto’s reflections on her past relationships and her disappointing encounter with Motson-Brown. The lewd postcard symbolizes the objectification she faces.
Unexpected kindness from strangers is a motif, most powerfully in the anonymous notes and snowdrop given to Beatrice. This contrasts with the hostility she experienced the previous week.
Female friendship and solidarity is shown through the group’s support for one another, even as tensions arise. Otto’s protective lie about Dora’s whereabouts demonstrates loyalty.
Class and patronage through gifts appears in Otto’s habit of giving presents to Miss Stroud, Maud, and Betty, which she sees as a way to secure loyalty.
Intellectual escape through mathematics is a motif for Otto, who finds solace in numbers and symbols, away from emotional turmoil.
Mortality and the fragile body is present in Otto’s nursing memories and her discomfort with physical vulnerability.
Same-sex desire is subtly hinted at through Beatrice’s intense feelings for Ursula, though not explicitly confirmed.
Privacy and protecting friends is a theme, as Otto deflects Ursula’s questions about Dora, prioritizing her friend’s privacy over social curiosity.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens our understanding of Otto’s inner world, revealing the lasting impact of war and her struggles with intimacy. It also introduces Ursula Singh, a character who will likely play a larger role in Beatrice’s development. The contrast between Otto’s cynicism and Beatrice’s hopefulness highlights different responses to adversity. The chapter also advances the subplot concerning Dora, as the group’s concern for her becomes more urgent. The themes of misogyny and women’s fight for education are reinforced through Beatrice’s experience, making this a pivotal chapter for both character and thematic development.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Otto’s reaction to the hockey club reflect her broader personality and coping mechanisms?
Otto’s brief attempt at hockey is motivated by a desire to help Dora, but she quickly dismisses the sport as primitive. This reflects her tendency to avoid emotional engagement and her preference for intellectual pursuits. Her decision to abandon hockey and immerse herself in mathematics shows that she uses intellectual activity as an escape from personal and emotional difficulties, a pattern established earlier in the novel.
2. What does the anonymous gift of lecture notes and a snowdrop signify for Beatrice?
After being publicly humiliated by the don, Beatrice is wary and expects further mockery. The notes and snowdrop, given by male students, represent an unexpected act of kindness that restores her faith in humanity. The snowdrop, a symbol of hope and renewal, contrasts with the hostility she faced, and the note "Take No Notice" reassures her that not all men are against her. This moment strengthens her resolve to continue her studies.
3. Why does Otto react so negatively to Ursula Singh, and what does this reveal about Otto’s character?
Otto accuses Ursula of ignoring Marianne and being a gossip, but her dislike seems rooted in jealousy or a protective instinct. Otto is often dismissive of people from Somerville and may feel threatened by Ursula’s outspokenness and confidence. Her abrupt departure when Ursula asks about Dora shows that Otto is unwilling to share personal information and is fiercely protective of her friends, even at the cost of social harmony.