Article #453-2 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from Emma McChesney and Co., by Edna Ferber

General Something-or-other-ending-in-z he should have been, with a
revolutionary background. He dressed somberly in black, like most of
the other Argentine men on board. There was Senora Pages, very fat,
very indolent, very blank, much given to pink satin and diamonds at
dinner. Senorita Pages, over-powdered, overfrizzed, marvelously
gowned, with overplumpness just a few years away, sat quietly by Senora
Pages' side, but her darting, flashing, restless eyes were never still.
The son (Emma heard them call him Pepe) was barely eighteen, she
thought, but quite a man of the world, with his cigarettes, his drinks,
his bold eyes. She looked at his sallow, pimpled skin, his lean, brown
hands, his lack-luster eyes, and she thought of Jock and was happy.

Mrs. McChesney knew that she might visit the magnificent Buenos Aires
shop of Pages y Hernandez day after day for months without ever
obtaining a glimpse of either Pages or Hernandez. And here was Senor
Pages, so near that she could reach out and touch him from her deck
chair. Here was opportunity! A caller who had never been obliged to
knock twice at Emma McChesney's door.

Her methods were so simple that she herself smiled at them. She donned
her choicest suit of white serge that she had been saving for shore
wear. Its skirt had been cut by the very newest trick. Its coat was
the kind to make you go home and get out your own white serge and gaze
at it with loathing. Senorita Pages' eyes leaped to that suit as iron
leaps to the magnet. Emma McChesney, passing her deck chair, detached
the eyes with a neat smile. Why hadn't she spent six months neglecting
Skirts for Spanish? she asked herself, groaning. As she approached her
own deck chair again she risked a bright, "Good morning." Her heart
bounded, stood still, bounded again, as from the lips of the assembled
Pages there issued a combined, courteous, perfectly good American,
"Good morning!"

Explanation

**Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Emma McChesney and Co. by Edna Ferber**

Context of the Source

Edna Ferber (1885–1968) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and short-story writer known for her sharp social commentary, strong female protagonists, and keen observations of early 20th-century American business and society. Emma McChesney and Co. (1915) is part of a series following Emma McChesney, a widowed businesswoman who travels as a sales representative for a Midwest skirt manufacturer. The novels explore themes of female independence, class, and the changing roles of women in the workforce.

This excerpt takes place on a ship bound for South America, where Emma, ever the opportunist, spots a chance to make a business connection with the wealthy Argentine Pages family, owners of a high-end Buenos Aires department store (Pages y Hernandez). The passage showcases Emma’s shrewdness, her keen eye for social dynamics, and her ability to manipulate situations to her advantage—all while maintaining a witty, observational tone.

Themes in the Excerpt

Class and Social Performance
- The Pages family is presented as a study in wealth, pretension, and the performative nature of high society. Ferber contrasts their superficial elegance with Emma’s practical, self-made professionalism.
- Senora Pages is "very fat, very indolent, very blank," draped in "pink satin and diamonds"—symbols of conspicuous consumption without substance.
- Senorita Pages is "over-powdered, overfrizzed," her restlessness betraying a hunger for attention and status. Her fascination with Emma’s suit suggests envy and a desire to emulate American fashion.
- Pepe, the son, is a caricature of precocious masculinity ("cigarettes, his drinks, his bold eyes"), but his "sallow, pimpled skin" undercuts his attempted sophistication. Emma’s comparison to her own son, Jock, reinforces her maternal pride and subtle judgment of the Pages’ parenting.
Opportunity and Female Agency
- Emma is a master of seizing opportunities. The fact that she could "visit the magnificent Buenos Aires shop of Pages y Hernandez day after day for months without ever obtaining a glimpse of either Pages or Hernandez" highlights the exclusivity of their world—but now, fate (and a ship voyage) has handed her direct access.
- Her "methods" are "simple" yet calculated: she uses fashion (her "choicest suit of white serge") as a tool to attract attention and establish a connection. The suit is not just clothing; it’s a strategic weapon in her professional arsenal.
American vs. Latin American Cultural Contrasts
- Ferber plays with stereotypes of Latin American elitism (the "General Something-or-other-ending-in-z" with a "revolutionary background") and contrasts it with Emma’s Midwestern pragmatism.
- The Pages family’s fluent English ("perfectly good American") surprises Emma, breaking her expectations and setting up a dynamic where she must navigate cultural and linguistic barriers to achieve her goal.
Appearance vs. Reality
- The Pages family’s outward glamour masks emptiness (Senora’s "blank" expression, Senorita’s restless eyes, Pepe’s affected worldliness).
- Emma, meanwhile, presents herself as polished and confident, but her internal groan ("Why hadn’t she spent six months neglecting Skirts for Spanish?") reveals her self-awareness and adaptability.

Literary Devices

Irony & Satire
- Ferber employs dramatic irony in Emma’s observation that she’d never get an audience with the Pages in Buenos Aires—yet here they are, trapped on a ship with her.
- The satirical descriptions of the Pages family (e.g., Pepe’s "lack-luster eyes," Senorita’s "overplumpness just a few years away") mock their pretensions while highlighting Emma’s sharp, judgmental eye.
Imagery & Symbolism
- Fashion as Power: Emma’s white serge suit is described in almost magical terms—its cut is so stylish it makes other suits seem inadequate. It symbolizes her professional prowess and her ability to command attention.
- Physical Descriptions as Character Revelation:
  - Senora Pages’ "pink satin and diamonds" = superficial wealth.
  - Senorita’s "darting, flashing, restless eyes" = ambition and dissatisfaction.
  - Pepe’s "sallow, pimpled skin" = the gap between his self-image and reality.
Metaphor & Simile
- Senorita Pages’ eyes "leaped to that suit as iron leaps to the magnet"—a vivid simile emphasizing the suit’s irresistible allure and Emma’s strategic use of fashion.
- Emma’s heart "bounded, stood still, bounded again" when the Pages respond in English—a metaphorical representation of her excitement and relief at this unexpected advantage.
Free Indirect Discourse
- Ferber blends Emma’s internal thoughts with the narration (e.g., "Why hadn’t she spent six months neglecting Skirts for Spanish?"), giving readers direct access to her witty, self-deprecating, and opportunistic mindset.
Juxtaposition
- The contrast between Emma’s practicality and the Pages’ frivolity is central. While they lounge in luxury, Emma is working—even on vacation.
- The generational contrast (Pepe’s affected maturity vs. Emma’s genuine competence) underscores themes of earned vs. inherited status.

Significance of the Passage

Emma as a Proto-Feminist Heroine
- Emma McChesney is one of Ferber’s most enduring creations—a widowed businesswoman who thrives in a male-dominated world. This scene exemplifies her resourcefulness, turning a social encounter into a business opportunity without apology.
- Her use of fashion as a tool reflects the limited avenues available to women at the time; she weaponizes femininity to gain access to power.
Critique of Wealth and Privilege
- Ferber, known for her social commentary, subtly critiques the hollow nature of inherited wealth. The Pages family’s wealth is performative (diamonds, satin, bold eyes), while Emma’s success is self-made and tangible (her skill in sales, her sharp observations).
Cultural Exchange and American Expansionism
- The scene reflects early 20th-century American business expansion into Latin America. Emma represents the confident, enterprising American abroad, navigating foreign elites with a mix of charm and calculation.
- The Pages’ fluent English suggests a blurred line between American and Latin American high society, hinting at the global influence of U.S. commerce and culture.
Humor and Wit
- Ferber’s writing is laced with dry humor, from the unnamed "General Something-or-other-ending-in-z" to Emma’s internal groan about her lack of Spanish. The passage is as entertaining as it is insightful, making social critique palatable through wit.

Line-by-Line Breakdown of Key Moments

"General Something-or-other-ending-in-z he should have been, with a revolutionary background."
- Sets a satirical tone, poking fun at Latin American stereotypes of military strongmen. The vague name ("Something-or-other") underscores how little Emma (and perhaps Americans in general) know or care about the actual people behind the clichés.
"Senorita Pages, over-powdered, overfrizzed, marvelously gowned, with overplumpness just a few years away..."
- The repetition of "over-" (over-powdered, overfrizzed, overplumpness) creates a rhythmic critique of excess. "Marvelously gowned" is ironic—her gown is impressive, but the rest of her is a mess.
"She looked at his sallow, pimpled skin, his lean, brown hands, his lack-luster eyes, and she thought of Jock and was happy."
- Emma’s maternal judgment is swift and cutting. The contrast with her own son (Jock) implies that Pepe’s affected worldliness is no match for genuine, wholesome upbringing.
"A caller who had never been obliged to knock twice at Emma McChesney's door."
- Emma’s confidence is legendary. The line suggests that she is always welcome, always in demand—a testament to her professional reputation.
"Her methods were so simple that she herself smiled at them."
- Emma’s self-awareness is key. She knows her tactics are straightforward, even amusing, but they work. This moment humanizes her, showing she doesn’t take herself too seriously.
"Senorita Pages' eyes leaped to that suit as iron leaps to the magnet."
- The simile is electric, emphasizing the suit’s power. It’s not just clothing; it’s a force field of attraction, and Emma wields it deliberately.
"Good morning!" / "Good morning!"
- The exchange is seemingly mundane, but the dramatic tension lies in what’s unsaid: Emma’s relief at their English, her calculation in initiating contact, and the Pages’ polite but guarded response. The stage is set for her next move.

Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters

This excerpt is a masterclass in characterization, social satire, and subtle feminist commentary. Emma McChesney is neither a traditional heroine nor a villain; she’s a pragmatic, ambitious woman who plays the game on her own terms. Ferber uses humor and sharp observation to critique class, gender, and cultural dynamics, all while keeping the narrative engaging and the protagonist compelling.

The passage also reflects Ferber’s broader themes:

The power of appearance (fashion as a tool of influence).
The contrast between earned and inherited status (Emma’s hustle vs. the Pages’ laziness).
The American businesswoman abroad (a figure both admired and resented).

Ultimately, this scene is a microcosm of Emma’s world—one where wit, observation, and a well-timed "Good morning!" can open doors that wealth and title cannot.

Questions

Question 1

The narrator’s description of Senorita Pages’ eyes as “darting, flashing, restless” serves primarily to:

A. underscore the generational divide between Senorita Pages and her mother, whose “blank” demeanor suggests resignation to her social role.
B. highlight the superficiality of high society, where physical restlessness mirrors an inability to engage meaningfully with others.
C. foreshadow Senorita Pages’ latent ambition and dissatisfaction, which contrast with her family’s complacent display of wealth.
D. emphasize the cultural gap between the Pages family and Emma, whose own gaze is disciplined and purposeful.
E. critique the performative femininity of the era, where women’s expressions were expected to be controlled and demure.

Question 2

Emma’s internal reaction—“Why hadn’t she spent six months neglecting Skirts for Spanish?”—is best understood as:

A. a moment of self-doubt, revealing her insecurity about her linguistic limitations in a foreign market.
B. a strategic pause to emphasize her professional focus, framing her lack of Spanish as a deliberate trade-off for expertise in her field.
C. an ironic commentary on the futility of language study, given that the Pages family speaks fluent English.
D. a reflection of her class-based assumptions, assuming that foreign elites would not bother to learn her language.
E. a narrative device to underscore the absurdity of her situation, where fashion trumps communication.

Question 3

The simile “Senorita Pages’ eyes leaped to that suit as iron leaps to the magnet” functions on multiple levels. Its most significant effect is to:

A. illustrate the universal appeal of American fashion, positioning Emma as a cultural ambassador.
B. reveal the power dynamics at play, where Emma’s suit becomes a tool of influence over a rival’s desire.
C. contrast the organic, instinctive reactions of the Pages family with Emma’s calculated professionalism.
D. underscore the materialism of the scene, reducing human interaction to a transactional exchange.
E. highlight the magnetic quality of Emma’s personality, which transcends the suit itself.

Question 4

The passage’s tone when describing Pepe (“his cigarettes, his drinks, his bold eyes”) is best characterized as:

A. admiring, with a hint of envy for his youthful confidence.
B. neutral, presenting his traits as objective facts without judgment.
C. nostalgic, contrasting his carefree attitude with Emma’s burdensome responsibilities.
D. sympathetic, suggesting his bravado masks deeper insecurities.
E. subtly mocking, exposing the gap between his affected sophistication and his actual immaturity.

Question 5

Which of the following best captures the relationship between Emma’s suit and her professional identity in the passage?

A. The suit is a symbol of her conformity to societal expectations, masking her true rebellious nature.
B. The suit represents her vulnerability, as its allure distracts from her lack of linguistic preparation.
C. The suit is a red herring, diverting attention from her more substantial business strategies.
D. The suit is an extension of her agency, a deliberate instrument to disrupt and command attention.
E. The suit reflects her superficiality, aligning her with the very elitism she critiques in the Pages family.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: C

Why C is most correct: The description of Senorita Pages’ eyes as “darting, flashing, restless” is not merely decorative; it signals an underlying tension between her outward compliance (sitting “quietly by Senora Pages’ side”) and her unspoken ambitions. The restlessness suggests dissatisfaction with her current role and a hunger for something more—whether status, attention, or autonomy. This contrasts sharply with her mother’s “blank” indolence and her brother’s performative worldliness, positioning Senorita Pages as the most dynamically conflicted figure in the family. The passage later confirms this interpretation when her eyes are “leaped to that suit,” revealing her envy and desire to emulate Emma’s polished professionalism.