# Love and Obsession in Memoirs of a Midget

> Theme guide for Memoirs of a Midget by Walter de la Mare.

The narrative explores intense, often destructive attachments—particularly the narrator's consuming, jealous love for Fanny and the tragic jealousy at Wanderslore—showing how love can become a fever that parches and blinds.

## Where it surfaces

- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xi): The narrator's intense, conflicting feelings for Fanny—hatred mixed with longing—foreshadow an obsessive fixation.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xiii): The narrator's intense longing for Fanny, jealousy, and self-hatred dominate the chapter, culminating in a bittersweet reunion.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xiv): The narrator's infatuation with Fanny is central, describing her beauty as haunting and her own love as a 'dream that remained a dream in spite of its intensifying resemblance to a nightmare.'
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xv): The narrator's intense devotion to Fanny, reading to her, and despair at her leaving.
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xvi): The narrator's consuming longing for Fanny is depicted as a fever that drains all other interests and causes self-reproach.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xviii): The narrator's intense feelings for Fanny, repeating 'I love you exceedingly,' and her obsessive reading of the letters illustrate this theme.
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xx): Mr. Crimble's intense, almost obsessive love for Fanny is evident in his letter and reactions; the narrator also grapples with her own feelings for Fanny.
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxv): The Wanderslore story centers on a husband's jealous love driving his wife to suicide, illustrating the destructive power of obsession.
- [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxvii): The narrator's restless night and desperate search for the stranger reveal an obsessive attachment; Mr. Crimble's fixation on Fanny shows love as a consuming, unbalanced force.
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxi): Fanny's obsessive guilt over Mr. Crimble and the narrator's conflicted love for Fanny are central to the chapter's emotional turmoil.
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxvi): Mr. Anon's intense feelings for the narrator and his jealousy dominate the conversation, highlighting the theme of obsessive love.
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xxxviii): The narrator's intense, conflicted feelings for Fanny are evident, alongside Susan's conventional engagement, highlighting different forms of love.
- [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/xlviii): The narrator's lingering love for Fanny is met with Fanny's scorn and ambition, highlighting the destructive nature of unrequited affection.
- [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/chapters/l): The tender reunion with Mr. Anon and the narrator's deep emotional attachment reflect love and devotion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/themes/love_and_obsession
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_midget_se/themes