A Judgement in Stone

Questions About A Judgement in Stone

by Ruth Rendell

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Answered Questions (3)

What is the relevance of the last words of the book? Dust, Ashes, Waste, Want, Ruin .......
Sofia It's a reference to the second chapter! The house is described the following way:
“It has become a bleak house, fit nesting place for the birds that D…moreIt's a reference to the second chapter! The house is described the following way:
“It has become a bleak house, fit nesting place for the birds that Dickens named Hope, Joy, Youth, Peace, Rest, Life, Dust, Ashes, Waste, Want, Ruin, Despair, Madness, Death, Cunning, Folly, Words, Wigs, Rags, Sheepskin, Plunder, Precedent, Jargon, Gammon, and Spinach."
See how the author removes the positive words? (less)
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I'm a bit ashamed to ask this question because the answer is probably very obvious but I just don't see it. Can you help me unpack the very last sentence in the book?
Dave Eff It's from bleak house, a story of a legacy that is endlessly disputed. They are the names of someone's birds, in keeping with the rest of this miserab…moreIt's from bleak house, a story of a legacy that is endlessly disputed. They are the names of someone's birds, in keeping with the rest of this miserable book it misses Hope & Joy. (less)
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What does the title 'A Judgment in Stone' refer to? Is it a reference to the time that Rendell calls Eunice a "Stone Age" woman?
Moz There is mention to Eunice's thoughts towards the end of the book in reference to her being like a woman of stone (or something similar). I wish I cou…moreThere is mention to Eunice's thoughts towards the end of the book in reference to her being like a woman of stone (or something similar). I wish I could remember the exact wording but I can't find it now. I think it was referring to her illiteracy. As soon as I heard it I realised it referred to the title. (less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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