The Blithedale Romance · Chapter
A Village Hall explained
Coverdale, having left Blithedale, wanders restlessly and reflects on his lingering attachment to Hollingsworth, Zenobia, and Priscilla.
What happens
Coverdale, having left Blithedale, wanders restlessly and reflects on his lingering attachment to Hollingsworth, Zenobia, and Priscilla. He attends a village hall exhibition featuring the Veiled Lady, where he unexpectedly encounters Hollingsworth. Overhearing disturbing tales of mesmeric control, Coverdale witnesses the Veiled Lady—revealed as Priscilla—throw off her veil and flee to Hollingsworth for safety.
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
Coverdale’s confession that he has “nothing, nothing, nothing” to tell marks the emotional and psychological p…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Secrecy and Identity
The Veiled Lady's hidden identity and Priscilla's unveiling highlight themes of concealment and revelation.
- Obsession and Philanthropy
Coverdale's lingering fixation on his Blithedale companions and Hollingsworth's intense focus on Priscilla reflect obsessive attachments.
- Love and Sacrifice
Priscilla's flight to Hollingsworth suggests a sacrificial trust and the power of genuine affection over artifice.
Characters to notice
- Miles Coverdale
Narrator; reflects on his painful separation from Blithedale and his three friends, then attends the Veiled Lady exhibition.
- Mr. Hollingsworth
Seen by Coverdale at the hall; speaks briefly about Zenobia and later summons Priscilla to safety.
- Zenobia
Mentioned by Coverdale and Hollingsworth; her whereabouts are uncertain.
- Priscilla
Appears as the Veiled Lady; throws off her veil and flees to Hollingsworth.
Key passages
“The bands that were silken once are apt to become iron fetters when we desire to shake them off.”
Relationships that once felt gentle can become oppressive when we try to end them.
Coverdale reflects on the difficulty of severing emotional ties.
“She uttered a shriek, and fled to Hollingsworth, like one escaping from her deadliest enemy, and was safe forever.”
Priscilla screamed and ran to Hollingsworth, finding permanent safety in his arms.
Climactic moment of Priscilla's unveiling and rescue.
