# Unrequited and Ambiguous Desire in Bertram Cope’s Year

> Theme guide for Bertram Cope’s Year by Henry Blake Fuller.

Multiple characters, including Amy, Hortense, Carolyn, and Randolph, project romantic or possessive feelings onto Cope, while Cope himself shows stronger emotional attachment to his male friend Arthur Lemoyne, creating a web of unreciprocated and subtly homoerotic tensions.

## Where it surfaces

- [III: Cope Is "Entertained"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/iii-cope-is-entertained): Cope's mental letter to Arthur reveals his longing for Arthur's company, contrasting with the forced socializing with the young women.
- [VI: Cope Dines—and Tells About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/vi-cope-dines-and-tells-about-it): Cope's letter to Lemoyne is filled with longing and intimate details, suggesting a deep emotional bond and unspoken desire.
- [VII: Cope Under Scrutiny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/vii-cope-under-scrutiny): Cope's intense longing for Lemoyne's presence and Randolph's lingering physical contact with Cope suggest unspoken emotional and romantic tensions.
- [IX: Cope on the Edge of Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/ix-cope-on-the-edge-of-things): Cope's anxiety about being 'caught' by women hints at ambiguous feelings.
- [Cope Amidst Cross-Purposes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xii-cope-amidst-cross-purposes): Both Cope and Randolph harbor unspoken desires for future domestic arrangements with another man—Cope with Lemoyne, Randolph with Cope—creating a triangle of unexpressed longing.
- [XVII: Cope Among Crosscurrents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xvii-cope-among-crosscurrents): Amy's romanticized view of the rescue contrasts with Cope's disinterest and discomfort, while Randolph probes Cope's feelings about marriage.
- [XVIII: Cope at the Call of Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xviii-cope-at-the-call-of-duty): Amy's idealization of Cope and Hortense's confrontational demand for attention both reflect ambiguous and unreciprocated feelings.
- [XIX: Cope Finds Himself Committed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xix-cope-finds-himself-committed): Cope's fundamental repugnance to Amy's advances contrasts with her confident assumptions, highlighting his ambiguous feelings and her unrequited pursuit.
- [XX: Cope Has a Distressful Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xx-cope-has-a-distressful-christmas): Cope is engaged to Amy but feels trapped and miserable, desiring escape rather than reciprocating her affection. Lemoyne's forceful insistence on breaking the engagement highlights the ambiguous nature of Cope's attachments.
- [XXI: Cope, Safeguarded, Calls Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxi-cope-safeguarded-calls-again): Lemoyne's proprietary gestures toward Cope and Mrs. Phillips' emotional reaction to Cope's singing suggest unspoken tensions.
- [Cope Shall Be Rescued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxii-cope-shall-be-rescued): Cope's despair over Amy and his closeness with Lemoyne suggest ambiguous desires; Foster's bitter observations highlight unrequited longing.
- [XXIII: Cope Regains His Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxiii-cope-regains-his-freedom): Cope's relief at ending his engagement to Amy contrasts with Lemoyne's possessive support, highlighting ambiguous emotional ties.
- [XXIV: Cope in Danger Anew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxiv-cope-in-danger-anew): Mrs. Phillips' physical and emotional attentions toward Cope, along with Hortense's aggressive pursuit, create a web of ambiguous romantic and possessive desires.
- [XXV: Cope in Double Danger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxv-cope-in-double-danger): Carolyn Thorpe's sonnets are interpreted as a passionate tribute to Cope, highlighting unreciprocated feelings; Cope's discomfort underscores the ambiguity of his own desires.
- [XXVI: Cope as a Go-Between](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxvi-cope-as-a-go-between): Foster's jealousy and bitterness, Hortense's frustrated pursuit of Cope, and the tense triangle between Randolph, Cope, and Lemoyne all reflect unreciprocated or ambiguous attractions.
- [XXVII: Cope Escapes a Snare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxvii-cope-escapes-a-snare): Hortense's unreciprocated romantic feelings for Cope are central; Cope's cold detachment and refusal to engage emotionally highlight the theme.
- [Cope Absent from a Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxviii-cope-absent-from-a-wedding): Hortense's public cry for Bertram Cope at Amy's wedding reveals her unrequited feelings and creates scandal.
- [XXXII: Cope Takes His Degree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxii-cope-takes-his-degree): Randolph and Medora both seek Cope's attention and affection, but he remains indifferent, prioritizing his own plans.
- [Cope in a Final View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/chapters/xxxiii-cope-in-a-final-view): Carolyn's intense emotional response to Cope's brief letter highlights unrequited feelings, while Randolph speculates on Cope's bond with Lemoyne.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/themes/unrequited_and_ambiguous_desire
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bertram_cope_s_year_se/themes