The Rainbow - Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 Summary

Anna's wedding day arrives. Tom feels uncomfortable during the ceremony in his role as the father of the bride. Many of Tom's feelings about his own maturity complicate his role. The ceremony is completed and the reception brings all the family together. Everyone enjoys the reception, and many of the men get very drunk. Tom makes a long speech about the need for marriage. This speech reveals a lot about Tom's own marriage, including the essential division between men and women. The newlyweds leave amidst the advice and well wishing of the family. The men of the group go out and serenade the newlywed couple outside their window.

Chapter 5 Analysis

The wedding day is routine. Tom is uncomfortable throughout the ceremony because he is uncomfortable with himself and his position in the ceremony. Tom's speech about the need for marriage underscores the marriages that occur throughout the...