Chapters 7-9 Summary and Analysis

There are changes in England and Europe during the 1930s. Rising unemployment lead to hunger marches and clashes with the police. Many of these protests involve the Communists. The younger generation is political and blames the problems on the war reparations forced on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. These events are watched by the Mitfords at Swinbook House, especially when Oxford students pledge not to support the government.

Jessica becomes a pacifist at this time and then becomes interested in socialism. She begins reading books on the subject and discusses the class struggle with her family.

At fifteen, Jessica becomes closer to her eighteen-year-old sister Boud, who is out to shock the family by her dress and behavior. Boud enlivens a fading, social scene, which earned her the title of eccentric. Diana was not divorced from Bryan and...