By Your Leave (1934) Plot Summary Explained

Henry proposes the separate vacations because he feels the spark has vanished from his marriage and wants to rekindle excitement. The financial windfall gives them the means to pursue this experiment, and Henry believes testing the waters apart might help them rediscover what they're missing. Ellen is initially wary but agrees reluctantly.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, the couple's routine is shown as dull and repetitive, with Henry specifically noting the spice has vanished from their relationship.

• henry smith
• separate vacations
• marriage
• windfall
• temptation test

Ellen decides to go to New York after spending several days alone with housekeeper Whiffen, contemplating her stalled marriage. When she learns that Henry is out pursuing his own adventures, she reasons that what applies to the goose should apply to the gander. Curiosity and a desire for her own excitement drive her to reverse her initial reluctance.

Foreshadowing: Ellen initially stays home watching Henry leave with concern, and her conversations with Whiffen reveal her growing restlessness.

• ellen smith
• new york
• freedom
• whiffen
• curiosity

Freddie Wilkins orchestrates parallel seduction schemes for both spouses. He sets Henry up with a prostitute named Andree while simultaneously traveling to Ellen's hotel with the intention of seducing her. Unknown to Henry, Freddie promises each spouse a memorable night while pursuing his own agenda with the other partner.

Foreshadowing: Freddie's enthusiastic promise to show Henry a good time foreshadows the tangled evening ahead.

• freddie wilkins
• prostitute
• andree
• seduction plot
• manipulation

Henry leaves the prostitute Andree because he realizes the night is moving too fast and he fears the consequences of his actions. The pace of the encounter spiral beyond what he expected, triggering his fear of getting caught or making a decision he'd regret. He slips away and returns to the suburbs rather than continue the liaison.

Foreshadowing: Henry's initial pursuit of excitement was hedonistic but not fully committed to infidelity, showing his underlying conflict.

• henry smith
• andree
• prostitute
• hotel
• guilt
• retreat

Ellen turns down David McKenzie's invitation to run away with him because, despite being drawn to his charm and the thrill of possibility, she ultimately chooses the security of her life with Henry. After he leaves her hotel suite, she wrestles with her feelings and decides that the comfort and stability of her marriage outweigh the excitement of escape.

Foreshadowing: Ellen tells McKenzie she will give him an answer in the morning, showing her hesitation between desire and commitment.

• david mckenzie
• ellen smith
• yacht
• invitation
• rejection
• marriage commitment

Henry and Ellen reconcile because both realize, after their parallel experiences with temptation, that their love for each other is stronger than any fleeting excitement. Henry returns home fearing the worst, while Ellen returns from her own night torn between choices. When they reunite, they recognize their affection has endured and choose to reaffirm their commitment to their family and life together.

Foreshadowing: Both characters experience hesitation at critical moments, Henry leaving the prostitute, Ellen deciding in the morning, showing their underlying loyalty.

• reconciliation
• love
• commitment
• forgiveness
• marriage resolution

Ellen chooses Henry because their years together and the life they've built carry more weight than the allure of a stranger's adventure. McKenzie represents excitement and escape, but Henry represents partnership, history, and genuine connection. The night of temptation makes her realize what she stood to lose was more valuable than what she might gain.

Foreshadowing: Ellen hesitates before giving McKenzie her answer, signaling her internal struggle between new passion and familiar love.

• ellen smith
• henry smith
• mckenzie
• choice
• loyalty
• marriage values

The story functions by showing both spouses embarking on simultaneous temptations in New York while Freddie manipulates both situations. Henry pursues nightlife and a prostitute while Ellen encounters McKenzie and his yacht. Their parallel paths mirror each other, each facing temptation, each experiencing hesitation, and each ultimately choosing to return. This structure emphasizes their equal stakes in the marriage test.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows their adventures happening concurrently, each driven by Freddie's orchestration.

• parallel stories
• henry
• ellen
• simultaneous events
• structure
• symmetry