Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Gordon finds there is little to do at his new job except read. Although Gordon is diligent, Cheeseman is suspicious that Gordon is stealing from him. Meanwhile, Gordon has moved into another tenant house worse than Mrs. Wisbeach’s. Nonetheless, he prefers it since there “[is] no mingy lower-middle class decency here, no feeling of being spied upon and disapproved of” (207). Even so, Gordon is dismayed when the landlady, Mrs. Meakin, gives him a dying aspidistra.

Gordon’s new lodgings horrify Ravelston. He argues Gordon is wrong in “thinking one can live in a corrupt society without being corrupt oneself” (211). Although Ravelston says he understands why Gordon will not go back to New Albion, he says he needs to find a way to use his talents to find a better job. However, Gordon does not think he will write poetry again. In fact, he finds it impossible to finish London Pleasures.

Julia and Rosemary also try to convince Gordon to go back to New Albion. Rosemary even goes to Mr. Erskine and convinces him to give Gordon his old job back. The couple argue again, with Rosemary raising the possibility of ending the relationship if Gordon keeps refusing the job.