David Harum · Chapter
Chapter XXIV explained
At dinner, David Harum recounts the absurd story of Amri Shapless and Lize Annis attempting to marry with no money, which Parson White refuses to perform.
What happens
At dinner, David Harum recounts the absurd story of Amri Shapless and Lize Annis attempting to marry with no money, which Parson White refuses to perform. David also tells of taking Aunt Polly to a New York theater, where the performance was scandalously revealing, shocking Mrs. Cullom.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the climax because it reveals the emotional and psychological turning point where John Leno…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Marriage
The failed marriage attempt of Amri and Lize highlights the practical and financial considerations of marriage in rural society.
- Rural vs. Urban Life
David's theater story contrasts rural moral sensibilities with urban entertainment, shocking Mrs. Cullom.
Characters to notice
- David Harum
Tells the story of Amri Shapless and Lize Annis's failed marriage attempt and recounts taking Aunt Polly to a New York theater.
- Aunt Polly
Mrs. Bixbee is incredulous at the marriage story and protests David's telling of the theater anecdote.
- Mrs. Cullom
Dines with David and John, speaks with refined diction, and is horrified by David's theater story.
- John Lenox
Present at the dinner, observes Mrs. Cullom's refined manner and her reaction to David's story.
- Amri Shapless
Attempts to marry Lize Annis with no money; Parson White refuses to perform the ceremony.
- Lize Annis
Accompanies Amri Shapless to Parson White to be married, but the wedding is refused.
Key passages
“Of all the amazin’ things in this world, the amazinist to me is the kind of people that gits married to each other in gen’ral; but this here performence beats ev’rything holler.”
Aunt Polly expresses astonishment at the absurdity of Amri and Lize's marriage attempt.
Reflects the theme of marriage and social norms.
“I hain’t got nothin’, an’ Mis’ Annis hain’t got nothin’, an’ we figured that we’d jes’ better git married an’ settle down, an’ make a good home fer us both”
Amri argues that having nothing together is reason enough to marry and create a home.
Highlights the ironic reasoning behind the marriage proposal.
“to all human appearances you c’d ’a’ covered ev’ry dum thing she had on with a postage stamp.”
David describes the dancer's scanty costume as barely covering anything.
Illustrates the moral shock of urban theater to rural sensibilities.
