I need to write. And to do so I must have complete freedom to travel anywhere I like, on my own, for as long and as often as I have to.
-- Willie (chapter 3)

Importance: This quote, in which Willie explains his reasons for leaving his wife Syrie alone in London, reveals Willie’s deep-seated desire for freedom and his dedication to his craft, which he places above his familial responsibilities. Willie's explanation to Syrie highlights the personal sacrifices he demands of her, underlining his prioritization of personal and artistic freedom over the conventional duties of a husband and father. This need for autonomy is not just a pursuit of creative inspiration but also a reflection of his unwillingness to conform to societal expectations, particularly those related to family and marriage, in preference for pursuing his relationship with Gerald.

From the day I married Robert, this house had been my home. We had watched...
-- Narration / Lesley (chapter 4)