Luke Chen
Partaking in a meal together is usually accompanied by the strengthening of a bond; however, the dialogue between Richard and Henry after an unpleasant lunch with Bunny contradicts that idea. Although what was spoken lacks any vividly significant language that cements a remarkable scene, the speakers’ deliverance reveals much about the characters. Through Henry’s tone, pacing, and word choice, this passage subtly introduces a rift between Bunny, Henry, and Richard. The realization of this distance represents the catalyst of Richard’s depression. Through a supposedly cheerful bonding experience comes a grim reminder of one of the text’s Dark Academia core themes: the romanticization of misery and depression from isolation and rejection.
Cracks between the group’s friendships foreshadow an inevitable state of isolation with loneliness and misfortunes to all. The passage brings into doubt Bunny and Henry’s understanding of each other and their friendship. Without needing Richard’s explanations, Henry appears to fully understand the situation. Henry simply arrives at the restaurant, covers the check, and drives Bunny and Richard home. After Bunny exits the car, Henry immediately apologizes to Richard for Bunny’s action: he knew Bunny was at fault. Henry’s uncanny perception implies that this “scheme” is a habit of Bunny’s. Most importantly, Henry has been the one to clean up on multiple occasions. Bunny mistakenly believes that Henry does not mind covering for his misdemeanors and is oblivious to Henry’s annoyances. Henry runs his “trembling” hand through his hair as he refuses to let Richard pay him back (Tartt 67). This subtle and unexpected act surprises Richard and demonstrates significant levels of emotional turmoil due to Bunny’s actions. The mismatch in viewpoints signals a lack of communication between the two and builds tension. This tension gradually eats away at their bond and signals the bitter end of their friendship. The presence of such levels of tension at an incredibly small-scale event suggests a fundamental incompatibility between the two characters.
The emotional incompatibility between Henry and Bunny is placed further under magnification through Henry’s tone and deliverance. Up until this point in the book, Henry has maintained a calm, or even cold, demeanor when conversing with Richard. Therefore, Henry speaking through an “accusatory” tone and snapping at Bunny further suggests the presence of hostility (67). Because Henry has an abundance of money, he is angry and irritated at Bunny’s actions instead of the monetary cost. More specifically, Henry is angry at how Bunny does not notice the consequences of his actions to those around him. In previous chapters, Henry always speaks concisely and with an air of exceptional composure; however, in this passage, Henry’s dialogue is long and, appears to the ear, impulsive. “How were you to know?”, “he never thinks…”, “what if I hadn’t been at home?” Henry bombards Richard with rhetorical questions and his inner thoughts about Bunny, speaking so quickly as if to not give Richard a chance to respond (67-68). Henry’s hasty tone reveals that, at this point, he is speaking what he really thought of Bunny without a filter. His pent-up frustrations are laid bare in front of Richard. Others in the group describe Bunny as the only person who can make Henry laugh; however, from this one simple dialogue, their relationship is further revealed to be much more fragile and brittle than perceived. With the revelation of this incompatibility, the characters are bound to separate emotionally and physically.
Just as Bunny and Henry are bound to separate, Richard is no exception. The conversation between Richard and Henry also conveys much about Richard’s sense of isolation. During the exchange, Richard “automatically” attempts to protest Henry’s remarks: Richard thinks the event is “all right” and that Bunny “really just forgot” (67-68). Richard certainly lies about how he felt: he was clearly agitated when Bunny asked him to cover the cost and tried to simply brush off the offense. Richard’s reluctance to accuse Bunny of wronging him hints at his desire to be included in the group. Richard does not want to risk alienating the group over the cost of a lunch. Richard lies at the cost to himself because he thinks that the feeling of inclusion is more valuable. Because of this, Henry’s next words appear incredibly cruel to Richard. Despite joining the class and spending time with the group, Richard is still just a “perfect stranger” (68). Despite his efforts to become a part of the group, Richard remains a step away. Richard shuts down after the revelation as silence engulfs the car. This hurt lingers on and manifests into depression during the group dinner. At a time and place where people break bread, enjoy company, and grow closer, Richard truly feels like a perfect stranger. As he leaves the group, Richard attempts to remember any subtle kindness or attention from the group to invalidate his sense of isolation to no prevail. His sense of loneliness is romanticized through the setting of a dreadfully beautiful pool of white moonlight that illuminated his room and a gust of wind that softly blew the long and pale curtains.
Despite the lack of vivid scenery or action-filled scenarios, the short dialogue between Richard and Henry effectively casts doubt upon all the participants’ relationships with each other and brings a supposedly joyful event a dark undertone. The absence of Bunny enables Henry to speak his mind freely. Thus, how Henry delivers his words establishes the characterization behind dialogue. These subtle characterizations slowly and naturally build to the revelation of the true distance between the characters. Although the characters appear to enjoy their company, each lives and thinks of themselves: failing to understand the others. Thus, the passage cements Dark Academia’s crucial theme of isolation.
