Performance and Artifice

Theatricality pervades the novel, from Lemoyne's cross-dressing stage performance to the characters' social performances—posing as artists, poets, or lovers—highlighting the gap between authentic self and social facade.

Cope consciously adopts a smiling, affable demeanor as a 'calculated expressiveness' to navigate social expectations, masking his true irritation.

The conversation between Cope and Mrs. Phillips is a performative sparring match, with both adopting roles and testing each other.

The entire afternoon is a staged entertainment where the young women perform their arts (violin, painting, poetry) and Cope is expected to perform in return by singing.

Cope's singing is described as 'cool and correct, but pleasant,' suggesting a performative aspect to his social interactions.