The Fate of Ylajali

Ylajali's role in the protagonist's life, from mysterious stranger to source of compassion and rejection.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Mysterious Lady

The Mysterious Lady The First Appearance Ylajali appears as one of two ladies walking down Castle Hill. The protagonist is struck by her blush and her beauty. He follows her, and she looks back at him from a window. The Naming He names her Ylajali, a word that sounds gliding and nervous. She becomes a figure of fantasy in his mind. The Fantasy Princess In his hunger-induced visions, she becomes a princess in a palace of amethyst and ruby. She is an object of desire and escape.

The Waiting Woman

The Waiting Woman The Evening Vigils She stands under a lamp-post outside his door for several evenings. He is curious and nervous. Finally, he speaks to her. The Walk Together She admits she has been waiting for him. They walk, and she is kind and curious. She tells him about her life: she lives with a deaf mother, her sister is in Hamburg. He feels a connection. The Kiss At her door, she kisses him. He is elated but also ashamed of his poverty.

The Terrified Girl

The Terrified Girl The Confession of Theft In her apartment, the protagonist confesses that he stole five shillings. She is shocked and frightened. She calls him insane. He sees her fear and tries to reassure her. The Withdrawal She becomes distant, moving away from him. He feels rejected. She offers him a kiss to calm him, but it feels like a sacrifice. The Ambiguous Farewell He leaves, confused. She says she is fond of him, but he is not sure. The encounter leaves him more desolate.

The Anonymous Donor

The Anonymous Donor The Half-Sovereign When he is at his lowest, a commissionaire brings a half-sovereign. He knows it is from Ylajali. He is humiliated and angry. The Refusal He throws the money at the landlady, a symbolic rejection of her pity. He cannot bear to be an object of charity. The Final Thought As he sails away, he thinks of her. She remains a mysterious, unattainable figure who offered both desire and compassion, but ultimately could not save him.

Part I

Part III

Part III, evening

End of Part IV