Daniel Deronda, Chapter 6 summary
Chapter 6 of 71 · 21 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 6, Gwendolen organizes dramatic entertainments with Rex, whose growing love makes him mistake her friendliness and sudden terror for signs of deep feeling. When a concealed painting interrupts her tableau, she loses control before the guests, then welcomes Klesmer’s tactful praise as reassurance about her acting.
What happens
- Gwendolen resents Miss Arrowpoint’s musical superiority and prepares costumes to escape the dullness of ordinary social life.
- Rex arrives, eagerly supports her entertainments, and falls in love, while Mr. Middleton also interprets her behavior as encouragement.
- The performers choose a tableau featuring Gwendolen as Hermione, and she makes sure Klesmer receives an invitation.
- A panel opens during the performance, exposing a disturbing painting and provoking Gwendolen’s terrified cry and collapse to her knees.
- Klesmer tactfully praises the interruption as acting, and Isabel confesses the next morning that she has secretly unlocked the panel.
- Gwendolen tries to suppress her humiliation, while Rex treats her terror as evidence of exceptional emotional depth.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Daniel Deronda, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
In this chapter
Quick check
Why is the panel able to open during the tableau?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Daniel Deronda, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Start freeNothing to pay today. USD 0.14 a day in the first year, then USD 0.27 a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
