The Vase Incident and Its Fallout

Examines the breaking of the Meissen vase as a catalyst for the emotional confrontation between Robbie and Cecilia.

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The struggle over the vase

The Accident The Setting Cecilia goes to the Triton fountain to fill a vase with water. Robbie, working nearby, offers to help. They struggle over the vase, and a piece of the rim breaks off. The vase is a precious Meissen heirloom, a gift to Cecilia's uncle Clem. The Anger Cecilia is furious. She calls Robbie an idiot. In a fit of rage, she strips off her clothes and dives into the fountain to retrieve the pieces. The act is shocking and intimate. Robbie is stunned by her beauty and her anger. The Aftermath Cecilia stalks off, leaving Robbie alone. The vase is repaired, but the emotional damage is done. The incident breaks the polite surface of their relationship and reveals the passion beneath. It is the first step toward their love affair.

The repair

The Cover-Up The Mending Cecilia spends the afternoon repairing the vase. She bakes it in the sun and hides the cracks. No one will ever know it was broken. The repair is a metaphor for the family's tendency to cover up unpleasant truths. The Symbol The vase represents the fragility of the Tallis family's facade. It is a precious object that has been damaged and imperfectly restored. Like the family, it looks intact but is permanently flawed. The Irony Later, Betty drops the vase while carrying it to the cellar during the war. It shatters completely. The final destruction of the vase mirrors the final destruction of the family's unity after Robbie's arrest.

midday, 1935 summer

afternoon, 1935 summer