# The Cords of Vanity — Chapters explained > Chapter companions for The Cords of Vanity by James Branch Cabell. - [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph quotes a biblical warning against those who are drawn into sin through vanity, foretelling decay and ruin. - [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/dedication.md): The chapter is a brief dedication to Gabrielle Brooke Moncure, accompanied by a Latin epigram suggesting that the common people are wise because they know only what is necessary. - [An Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/an-introduction.md): Wilson Follett introduces the second edition of 'The Cords of Vanity,' discussing how James Branch Cabell has recreated the novel by deepening the character of Robert Etheridge Townsend, correlating his weakness as a man - [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph introduces the central metaphor of the book: a man reflecting on his past, observing a child moving through the house and garden of his dream, and studying the first stage of his mental journey. - [The Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/the-prologue.md): The chapter introduces the narrator's reflections on love, memory, and the passage of time, setting the stage for the story to come. > 201 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_cords_of_vanity_se_585kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest. - [I: Writing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i-writing.md) - [Reading](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii-reading.md) - [III: Arithmetic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii-arithmetic.md) - [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/epigraph.md) - [The Cords of Vanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/the-cords-of-vanity.md) - [I: He Sits Out a Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i-he-sits-out-a-dance.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [II: He Loves Extensively](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii-he-loves-extensively.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [III: He Earns a Stickpin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii-he-earns-a-stickpin.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/viii.md) - [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ix.md) - [IV: He Talks with Charteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv-he-talks-with-charteris.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [He Revisits Fairhaven and the Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v-he-revisits-fairhaven-and-the-play.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [He Chats Over a Hedge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi-he-chats-over-a-hedge.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [VII: He Goes Mad in a Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii-he-goes-mad-in-a-garden.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [He Duels with a Stupid Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/viii-he-duels-with-a-stupid-woman.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [He Puts His Tongue in His Cheek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ix-he-puts-his-tongue-in-his-cheek.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [X: He Samples New Emotions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/x-he-samples-new-emotions.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/viii.md) - [XI: He Postures Among Chimney-Pots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xi-he-postures-among-chimney-pots.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [XII: He Faces Himself and Remembers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xii-he-faces-himself-and-remembers.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [He Baits Upon the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xiii-he-baits-upon-the-journey.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [XIV: He Participates in a Brave Jest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xiv-he-participates-in-a-brave-jest.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [He Decides to Amuse Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xv-he-decides-to-amuse-himself.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [He Seeks for Copy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xvi-he-seeks-for-copy.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [He Provides Copy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xvii-he-provides-copy.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/viii.md) - [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ix.md) - [He Spends an Afternoon in Arden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xviii-he-spends-an-afternoon-in-arden.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [He Plays the Improvident Fool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xix-he-plays-the-improvident-fool.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [XX: He Dines Out, Impeded by Superstitions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xx-he-dines-out-impeded-by-superstitions.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [He Is Urged to Desert His Galley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxi-he-is-urged-to-desert-his-galley.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/viii.md) - [He Cleans the Slate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxii-he-cleans-the-slate.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [He Reviles Destiny and Climbs a Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxiii-he-reviles-destiny-and-climbs-a-wall.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [XXIV: He Reconciles Sentiment and Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxiv-he-reconciles-sentiment-and-reason.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [XXV: He Advances in the Attack on Selwoode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxv-he-advances-in-the-attack-on-selwoode.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [He Assists in the Diversion of Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvi-he-assists-in-the-diversion-of-birds.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [He Calls, and Counsels, and Considers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvii-he-calls-and-counsels-and-considers.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/viii.md) - [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ix.md) - [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/x.md) - [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xi.md) - [He Participates in Sundry Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxviii-he-participates-in-sundry-confidences.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii.md) - [He Allows the Merits of Imperfection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxix-he-allows-the-merits-of-imperfection.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [He Gilds the Weathervane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxx-he-gilds-the-weathervane.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/the-epilogue.md) HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters