Victorians! discussion

Welcome to Week 3 and the final chapters of Period 1.

First Period Ch. 16-23

Rachel Verinder leaves for London, in spite of Cuff’s warning that to do so is to ensure that her diamond will never be found. Roseanna Spearman slips away from her tail, and is believed to have destroyed herself in the Shivering Sands. But not before entrusting Limping Lucy with a letter to Franklin Blake, the object of her unrequited(?) love.

This is the section where Sergeant Cuff gets to shine, where so many of the tropes of detective fiction have their birth in this novel. We see him taking statements, following suspects, collecting clues, and presenting evidence in order to gain more evidence. But what is really going on? And what is merely misdirection from the pen of Wilkie Collins?

Finally, Sergeant Cuff makes three predictions to Gabriel Betteridge... all of which come to pass.

Questions
1. What are your thoughts on the relationship between Betteridge and Cuff?
2. What new information has come to light which alters your perspective on the case?
3. In what ways is the reader being drawn into connecting with the characters or fascination with the mystery itself?

Betteridge both admires and despises Cuff. His admiration comes from the way Cuff has expertly scrutinised the evidence and followed up his theories to arrive at his conclusions. However Betteridge’s loyalty to Lady Verinder and Rachel is being challenged by Cuff and for that he is despised. Also Betteridge becomes annoyed by Cuff’s seemingly nonchalant switching to discuss roses with the gardener instead of focusing on the diamond. Betteridge becomes exasperated by the situation because even his trusted Robinson Crusoe can’t help him.

Rachel’s desire to leave the house tells me that something happened there that has shocked her, probably over and above the loss of the diamond. Her coldness towards Franklin and her desire that he has nothing to do with solving the theft results in their estrangement when you might expect that she would look to him for comfort. She was adamant that Rosanne was never involved with her and although Cuff thinks she is lying, Betteridge’s description of Rachel as a truthful person seems more likely to me. Her desire to go partying in London also seems odd, as if she wants to put the whole episode behind her and forget about it.

The reader is being drawn into the mystery via the detective work of Cuff pointing towards one solution and Betteridge’s knowledge of the family and understanding of human nature refuting it.

I always wondered what was that with Sergeant Cuff and his interest in roses and why Collins had felt that his readers must know about it. Any thoughts?

Piyangie wrote: "I always wondered what was that with Sergeant Cuff and his interest in roses and why Collins had felt that his readers must know about it. Any thoughts?"

The link below from the ‘Victorian Web’ provides an explanation and even more details about Sergeant Cuff’s character and background. (The illustration is also interesting.) The quote is from chapter 20.

https://victorianweb.org/art/illustra...

Thanks, Trev, for the link. That was quite informative. Every detective, it seems, is somewhat eccentric. Sherlock Holmes and his violin playing come to my mind. :)

As others have remarked, Betteridge (and to a degree Cuff) have a grudging mutual respect if not a liking for each other. They are like colleagues in an office who have to collaborate on a project and form respect for each other even if they're not friends.

Rachel has only become more suspect. I feel really bad for Roseanna, as life has hit her very hard from start to finish. As the section continues, my respect (as a reader) grows for Cuff as he routinely shows his skills in his trade, particularly when his 3 predictions come true.

As more details/mysteries/unknowns are woven into the story, and more possible suspects or motives or MOs are uncovered, we are being drawn in to try and solve the mystery ourselves, or at the very least, sit back and watch Cuff & Betteridge do their thing.

Things do get complicated!