Love vs. Infatuation

Where it surfaces

• Uneasy Money

  Claire's pursuit of Bill appears driven by his money rather than genuine affection, contrasting with Elizabeth's more principled stance.

• VII

  Claire's feelings for Bill are complicated by her attraction to Pickering's wealth, while Pickering's proposal seems driven by infatuation rather than deep love.

• XI

  Bill's internal debate between his duty-bound love for Claire and his genuine, easy connection with Elizabeth highlights the tension between romantic obligation and true affection.

• XII

  Claire's speech about trust and the acid test of love contrasts with Bill's genuine but inarticulate feelings, highlighting the tension between idealistic love and flawed reality.

• Chapter XVI

  Bill's walk leads him to distinguish between his infatuation with Claire and his deeper, more genuine feelings for Elizabeth, highlighting the theme of true love versus superficial attraction.

• Chapter XIX

  Bill's rejection of Claire and his commitment to Elizabeth contrast genuine love with Claire's possessive infatuation.

• XX

  Pickering's internal conflict between rational thought and his infatuation with Claire, leading to his vulnerability and eventual heartbreak.

• XXII

  Elizabeth argues that true love cannot survive the corrosive doubt that evidence and circumstance would breed; she chooses to end the relationship cleanly rather than risk its decay.

• XXIII

  Elizabeth's decision to send Bill away is driven by a deep, selfless love, contrasting with Nutty's selfish regret over lost financial gain.

• XXV

  Bill and Elizabeth's love is reaffirmed as genuine and enduring, overcoming doubts about time and money.