Short Fiction · Chapter
The Recessional explained
Clovis Sangrail writes a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, discussing his wager with Loona Bimberton and the poem's vivid, exaggerated imagery with Bertie van Tahn.
What happens
Clovis Sangrail writes a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, discussing his wager with Loona Bimberton and the poem's vivid, exaggerated imagery with Bertie van Tahn. The poem is published in the short-lived Smoky Chimney, and Loona Bimberton suffers a nervous breakdown afterward.
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 Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Egbert…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Absurdity of Social Rituals
Clovis's flippant composition of a coronation ode and the wager over its publication satirize the pretentiousness of literary and social ceremonies.
- Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
Loona Bimberton's claim that coronation odes are the province of a gifted few, contrasted with Clovis's easy production of verse, exposes social hypocrisy.
Characters to notice
- Clovis Sangrail
Writing a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, having bet Loona Bimberton he can write coronation-style verse.
- Bertie van Tahn
Converses with Clovis in the Turkish bath, critiquing his poem and discussing its imagery.
- Mrs. Packletide
Suggested Clovis write the poem and arranged publication in the Smoky Chimney.
- Loona Bimberton
Bet Clovis he cannot write a coronation ode; later suffers a nervous breakdown after the poem's publication.
Key passages
“I’m writing deathless verse.”
Clovis claims he is composing immortal poetry.
Clovis's ironic self-importance as he writes a poem for a bet.
“It’s rather like casting pearls into a trough”
Clovis compares reading his poem to Bertie as wasting something valuable on someone unappreciative.
Clovis's witty dismissal of Bertie's critical abilities.
“The public will stand a good deal”
Bertie suggests that the public will accept many inaccuracies in poetry.
Bertie's cynical observation about public credulity.
