The Futility of Ambition

Where it surfaces

• Dogged

  Gibbon's attempts to maintain a respectable life are futile against the overpowering influence of the dog Beelzebub, illustrating the hopelessness of resisting one's fate.

• Judkin of the Parcels

  Judkin's fall from a life of adventure and glory to mundane domesticity illustrates the emptiness of past ambitions and the strange peace found in resignation.

• The Lost Sanjak

  The protagonist's attempt to reinvent himself by swapping identities leads to a chain of events that culminates in his execution for a crime he did not commit.

• Crosscurrents

  Clyde's pursuit of wilderness adventure and Vanessa's quest for respectability both lead to dissatisfaction and ultimately disaster.

• The Background

  Henri Deplis's harmless ambition to enjoy his legacy leads to a lifetime of entrapment and loss of identity, illustrating the futility of his pursuit.

• Filboid Studge

  Mark's ambition to marry Leonore and help Dullamy backfires, leaving him worse off despite his clever marketing success.

• The Hounds of Fate

  Martin Stoner's past attempts at success have all failed, and he now drifts without purpose, accepting a false identity rather than striving for change.

• The Seventh Pullet

  Blenkinthrope's ambition for recognition through invented stories ultimately backfires, as his reputation as a liar prevents him from gaining sympathy or publicity for his wife's real death.

• The Cobweb

  Emma's plans for kitchen reforms and a cozy window nook are rendered meaningless by Martha's obstinacy and the sudden tragedy that ends her tenure.

• The Interlopers

  The generations-long feud over a 'stupid strip of forest' is rendered meaningless when both men are helpless and facing death, leading them to question the value of their conflict.

• The Optimist

  Duncombe's optimistic advice to the boy is undercut by the revelation of the boy's impending arrest, suggesting the futility of such ambition.

• The Treasure Ship

  The duchess's ambitious treasure hunt is thwarted and turned into a tool for blackmail, illustrating the emptiness of her pursuit of wealth.

• The Pond

  Mona's ambitious fantasies of tragic suicide are rendered absurd when the pond proves too shallow to drown in, underscoring the futility of her morbid aspirations.

• Dusk

  Gortsby's reflection on the defeated and his own failed subtle ambition sets a tone of disillusionment, and the young man's con underscores the emptiness of striving for success through deceit.

• The Unkindest Blow

  The Duke's attempt to leverage his position for gain ends in his premature death, underscoring the futility of his ambition to control the narrative.

• The Sheep

  The Sheep's attempts to contribute—whether in bridge, shooting, or politics—end in disaster, culminating in his pointless death.

• The Cupboard of the Yesterdays

  The Wanderer argues that modern war destroys the very excitement and charm that once justified it, leaving only bleak monotony.

• The Purple of the Balkan Kings

  Wolkenstein's long-held belief in the supremacy of the Great Powers and his contempt for small nations is overturned by the Balkan victories, showing the futility of his arrogant assumptions.

• Cousin Teresa

  Basset's serious colonial achievements are overshadowed by Lucas's frivolous success, underscoring the futility of ambition in a society that rewards triviality.

• On Approval

  Knopfschrank's artistic ambition leads to starvation and failure; he ultimately abandons his dream for the practical life of a peasant farmer.

• Fate

  Rex's desperate scheme to secure wealth through a sure bet backfires, leading to a tragicomic act of arson.

• The Toys of Peace

  Harvey's well-meaning attempt to reform children's play through peace toys is rendered futile by the boys' innate attraction to conflict and adventure.

• The Bull

  Tom's pride in his bull is undercut by the financial success of Laurence's painting, highlighting the arbitrary nature of value and the limits of tangible achievement.

• For the Duration of the War

  Beryl's prolonged translation of a forgotten novel and Wilfrid's fraudulent literary success both illustrate the emptiness of their ambitions.