# Social Convention and Propriety in Indian Summer

> Theme guide for Indian Summer by William Dean Howells.

Characters navigate the rules of society, especially in the context of Carnival and the veglione, where Mrs. Bowen's cautiousness clashes with Colville's more relaxed attitudes, revealing tensions between personal desire and social expectations.

## Where it surfaces

- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/ii): Mrs. Bowen's ladylike demeanor and Effie's careful deference to her mother illustrate the social conventions governing behavior and propriety in their circle.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iii): Colville's careful attention to his evening dress and the formalities of Mrs. Bowen's reception highlight the social codes of expatriate life in Florence.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/iv): The chapter depicts the formalities of a Florentine reception, including the roles of hosts and guests, and the expectations of conversation among expatriates.
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/viii): Mrs. Bowen's concern for Effie's upbringing contrasts with Colville's relaxed influence; Imogene's judgment of the songs reflects shifting social norms.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/ix): Mrs. Bowen's disapproval of dancing at the Veglione and her concern for propriety contrast with the carnival's liberating atmosphere.
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xi): Mrs. Bowen's concern about the veglione and her warning to Imogene highlight the importance of propriety.
- [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xii): Colville's concern about propriety and his need to leave Florence to avoid further embarrassment highlight social constraints.
- [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xiii): Mrs. Bowen insists on propriety in Imogene's dealings with Colville, and the letter-writing scene highlights the social constraints governing their interactions.
- [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xv): Mrs. Bowen's letter and the characters' behavior highlight the importance of social propriety and the pressure to conform to expectations.
- [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xvi): Mrs. Bowen's insistence on waiting for family consent and the decision to keep the engagement secret reflect the social rules governing relationships.
- [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xvii): The chapter highlights social expectations around age, dress, and behavior at parties, as well as Mrs. Bowen's strict adherence to propriety despite her personal feelings.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xviii): The chapter examines social judgments about age in marriage, the propriety of a clergyman accepting money from a woman, and the subtle social maneuvering at Mrs. Bowen's salon.
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xix): Mrs. Bowen insists on propriety by demanding that Mr. Morton be informed of Imogene's engagement, highlighting the social rules governing romantic attachments.
- [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/chapters/xx): The tension over who should sit where in the carriage, the snubbing of Effie for speaking out of turn, and the effort to maintain polite conversation all highlight social conventions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/themes/social_convention_and_propriety
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_summer_se/themes