Book Discussion - chapters 20 and 21

[into_the_greenwood]

After two years of little in the way of a healthy relationship, Chapter 20 sees Clive coming down with flu, passing it on to Maurice, then Clive later having a relapse. Or is it? The scene takes place whilst Clive is visiting the Halls in order to gain some peace and quiet. As an aside at dinner he says that he's going to Greece, but this doesn't seem to be acknowledged by anyone. Has he slipped it in hoping that the conversation is sufficiently concentrated on another subject so as not to have to discuss it further? Or is it nerves which have caused him to blurt it out when no one is listening? Either way, it seems that Clive knows why he is going to Greece, and knows that this is not going to go down well with Maurice. Apart from flu, I would guess that it's this hanging over his head that contributes to his fainting fit. And, later in the chapter, his lack of reaction to anything is the only way he can deal with what is going on in his head, i.e. he is going to drop Maurice. Maurice, meanwhile, behaves like a woman fussing around Clive, earning a sarcastic reproof from the doctor. Chapter 21 really seems to sound the death knell of their relationship; Clive still is deeply involved with the Classics whilst, as we may have suspected, Maurice has left the fleeting interest behind, it being 'no substitute for life'. This shows quite clearly how ill-suited the two men are, not only that but Clive now takes to teasing Maurice in a malicious way about his lack of interest and lack of knowledge. And yet, loyal Maurice believes Clive to be unwell still and continues to hope that all will be well when Clive is 'better'. Maurice here seems to be hopeful that everything will eventually be okay again...but what is he basing this on? Do you think that Maurice's limited knowledge of what a proper relationship is results in him accepting Clive's treatment as if it were the norm? What do you think Clive is feeling when he comes into Maurice, gets into bed with him, then leaves almost immediately?