Maud Martha

Maud’s next boyfriend is David McKemster. Maud believes David belongs to the academic sphere, but David recognizes that his white, privileged classmates are far more comfortable and confident in this world than he’ll ever be. He desires material objects that “make up a good background” (46): a good dog (not a mongrel), a well-furnished apartment, a bookcase filled with nicely bound books, and good art. David wants to surround himself with the things that filled the bookshelves and conversations of his classmates in their formative years. He struggles to catch up to the social and general education he feels he missed out on because of his racial and socioeconomic background.

Maud is 18 years old and dreams of visiting New York City. She looks at New York as a symbol of “what she felt like life ought to be” (50). Maud imagines New York as a place that’s polished, shining, and poised. At 18, Maud has everything in the world to anticipate dreamily.

The next chapter introduces Paul Phillips, who eventually marries Maud. Maud looks at herself through Paul’s eyes and acknowledges that she’s sweet but not necessarily pretty. Still, she’s confident that she’ll be the one he marries. Paul is not so concerned about beauty; he acknowledges that although he is light-skinned, “a sort of low-toned yellow” (54), he isn’t handsome himself.

Paul promises Maud that she’ll have her dream apartment. They’re set to be married, and he’s determined to “do it up right” (56). The classy lifestyle Paul promises must wait, though, as their current circumstances require keeping a very modest apartment. Maud realizes she may need to sacrifice simple comforts such as steam heat, and she questions whether she’s sacrificing enough to show her gratitude to Paul for making her his woman.

Paul and Maud’s first apartment is a two-room flat in a gray building. Their apartment doesn’t have a private bathroom; theirs is a shared bathroom that’s in use at every hour of the day and night. Despite the circumstances, Maud eagerly plans to upgrade their living space with simple touches. She’s crushed to learn that they cannot afford even small personal touches like changing out the furniture. This leaves Maud feeling disinterested in their home, and her disinterest turns to disgust when she sees the first roach in the apartment. Maud, who used to dote upon and appreciate the small everyday beauties in life, now lives in a place where everyday people and experiences are all gray.

Maud’s annoyance with Paul continues in the next vignette as the couple leaves a musical performance. Paul falls asleep during the show but showers Maud with clown-like affection on the streetcar home. Maud goes along with Paul’s uncomfortable public displays of affection. Her annoyance intensifies when they reach home and Paul immediately and unapologetically uses the bathroom, not bothering to make any comment on the musical or any attempt to cover his most basic animal needs.

Maud gently refuses Paul’s hints at sexual intimacy and chooses to read instead, preparing sandwiches and cocoa for them to enjoy as they read together. Maud remembers when she took Paul to the library and discovered him searching the card cases for obscene-sounding names. Paul falls asleep within minutes, dropping his book. Maud does not bother trying to catch Paul’s book and instead lets it fall with a little clatter.