The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
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I Say No
Wilkie Collins Collection
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I Say No - Week 4
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2. I'm glad Emily has given Mrs Ellmother a reference and even found her a position-everyone seems intent on finding the reason she left her employment so suddenly, but I'm glad she is getting credit for her 25 years of faithful service.
3. Francine is quite an interesting character-I don't have a good read on her at all. She seems very shallow, callous, and manipulative, but she also elicits some pity for what sounds like parental neglect and indifference. I think she will insinuate herself into Emily and Cecilia's friendship, perhaps even getting herself invited to Cecilia's home, and then stir up some trouble. Or she may somehow get Alban into difficulties at the school.
4. I don't have an understanding or sense of the murder. Are we meant to think it was Mirabel? What could the motive have been? I'm afraid I missed any allusion to an accomplice though.
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I don't think Wilkie Collins did red herrings, but he did twists and weird complexities. My hypothesis is still that Mirabel was the "fair gentleman" who shared Emily's father's room, but he did not kill him. He might know who did, and he might have run because he has his own secrets and did not want the police to start digging into him and his past. He's not what he seems, but him being the murderer would be too obvious and straightforward for a Wilkie Collins novel.
Also, we know nothing about Emily's mother, and Emily herself doesn't seem to know much about her. Wonder if that's going to come up. How old is Miss Jethro? Collins did not describe Emily's appearance other than that she is small and attractive.
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2. I'm glad Emily has given Mrs Ellmothe..."
It was during the conversation between Alban and the doctor each thinking there was an accomplice but not agreeing who that was.
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’ There, among the ordinary readers of the day, was a dutiful and affectionate daughter following the dreadful story of the death of her father by murder, and believing it to be the story of a stranger–because she loved and trusted the person whose short-sighted mercy had deceived her. That very discovery, the dread of which had shaken the good doctor’s firm nerves, had forced Alban to exclude from his confidence the woman whom he loved, and had driven the faithful old servant from the bedside of her dying mistress–that very discovery Emily had now made, with a face which never changed color, and a heart which beat at ease. Was the deception that had won this cruel victory over truth destined still to triumph in the days which were to come? Yes–if the life of earth is a foretaste of the life of hell. No–if a lie _is_ a lie, be the merciful motive for the falsehood what it may. No–if all deceit contains in it the seed of retribution, to be ripened inexorably in the lapse of time.’Even though he was trying to protect her, Alban has made a terrible mistake in not being honest with Emily. When the truth comes out, and the paragraph above informs us that that is inevitable, what will she think of him?
Now that he has arrived in Brighton, we seem to be about to meet the charismatic itinerant preacher that even Francine has praised. Is the name of the city on the razor a clue that could link him to the fair young man staying at the Inn with Emily’s father?
’ Mr. Rook identified the blood-stained razor. He had noticed overnight the name of the Belgian city, "Liege," engraved on it.’
If he is the murderer, his accomplice (if there is one) could be any one of a number of besotted women whose mind he has taken control of. (Probably too sensational even for Collins but who knows?)
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_her...
I bow to the wisdom of my fellow readers - Collins was not prone to using red herrings. I think Emily is not making the connection between the murder at the inn and her father’s death because she is in denial and also because she has consistently been told lies by people whom she trusts.
As for Francine, I can’t imagine where Collins is going with her story, but it should be interesting. My overall impression of her can be summed up in one word: darkness. I feel it every time I read about her.
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Emily has finished reading the inquest of the murder. Nothing appears to have been stolen. The victim had his throat slit and was identified by his two false teeth, she doesn’t seem to put the murder together with her father’s death. The murder victim had also received an important letter, of which not much is known. Mrs, Ellsmother is in need of a reference. She has approached the doctor, and then approaches Emily. Emily feels she has wronged Mrs. Rook and writes a letter of apology. Alban did not want her to do this. The doctor and Alban have a conversation about what happened to Emily’s father, the lies Emily has been told, and they both believe there was an accomplice in the murder. The doctor indicates Miss Jethro knows how Emily’s father died. Francine visits Emily. Francine is now a guest at the school as they have found her to be difficult to educate. Francine speaks of Mr. Mirabrl and hires Mrs. Ellsmother as her servant. Miss Ladd invites Emily to Brighton. Cecilia also writes and wants Emily to visit. Among the guests will be Mr. Mirabel.
Why does Emily stay naive about her father’s death?
Who is the murderer’s accomplice?
What is your opinion of Francine? How does she fit in the story?