The Japanese Quince

The Japanese Quince Summary | Detailed Summary

"The Japanese Quince" is John Galsworthy's short story of the beauty of nature, and its symbolism of perfection in contrast to the sameness of everyday life.

As the story begins, it is a spring morning in 1910 London. A man named, Mr. Nilson, opens the window of his dressing room and experiences "a peculiar sweetish sensation" in the back of his throat, in addition to a feeling of emptiness under his ribs. Mr. Nilson notes the temperature of 60 degrees and sees that the little tree in the garden has begun to blossom.

Mr. Nilson is momentarily exuberant at the thought that spring has arrived, but then turns back to the business of his stocks and his scrutiny of his face in the mirror. Reassured that he is the picture of health, Mr. Nilson dons his frock coat and heads downstairs to retrieve his morning paper. Overcome, once more, with the sweet sensation felt a short time ago, Mr. Nilson walks out of the French doors and into the garden, determined to walk a bit before breakfast.

As Mr. Nilson walks in the park, the feeling he had experienced is not going away, but rather is increasing in intensity. Mr. Nilson tries to recall what recently eaten foods may be the culprit for this feeling, but determines that the source of the feeling must be coming from a lemony scent from some nearby shrubs.

Satisfied with this explanation, Mr. Nilson is ready to resume his morning walk, when the sound of a blackbird draws his attention to a small tree. At closer inspection, Mr. Nilson realizes that this pretty little tree is the same one that he had viewed from his dressing room window. As Mr. Nilson stands smiling at the little tree, he realizes that another man, who also admires the tender blossoming tree, has joined him.

Mr. Nilson recognizes the man as his neighbor, Mr. Tandram. He speaks coolly, not appreciating the interruption. Mr. Nilson regrettably realizes that he and Mr. Tandram have never spoken, and Mr. Nilson awkwardly acknowledges his neighbor. Mr. Tandram responds, and Mr. Nilson detects nervousness in the man's voice that makes Mr. Nilson stop to take closer note of the man.

Mr. Nilson is a little unnerved to see that Mr. Tandram resembles himself in appearance and deportment, even carrying their morning newspapers behind their backs in the same manner.

Both men comment on the little tree and move closer toward it to read the plant tag identifying it as a Japanese Quince. Both men acknowledge that it was the singing of the blackbird that drew their attention to the tree, and Mr. Nilson thinks to himself that he actually likes Mr. Tandram.

The sound of the blackbird calling interrupts the reverie of the men still admiring the little tree, and the two men part company. Mr. Nilson and Mr. Tandram go their separate way to their homes. Mr. Nilson watches Mr. Tandram mount the steps to his home, and Mr. Nilson gazes longingly once more at the little tree where the blackbird has once again taken up its perch.

Mr. Nilson thinks that the Japanese Quince appears to be more alive than a tree and begins to feel that strange sensation in his throat once more. The sound of Mr. Tandram's coughs divert Mr. Nilson's attentions from the little tree, and he realizes that Mr. Tandram is also still admiring the tree. Mr. Nilson feels annoyed at this and enters his home to read his newspaper.