The Last Word explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Redemption and Atonement

  Raffles' secret confession to Bunny's former fiancée is an act of atonement, and Bunny is urged to make a new name for himself.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Raffles risks his freedom to clear Bunny's name, demonstrating profound loyalty even at his own expense.

• Memory and Nostalgia

  The letter reflects on past events and the enduring impact of Raffles' actions, with Bunny looking back on his friendship.

Characters to notice

• A. J. Raffles

  Revealed to have secretly confessed to Bunny's former fiancée that he was the other man in the Palace Gardens burglary, sacrificing his own reputation to clear Bunny.

• Bunny

  Receives a letter from his former fiancée that reveals Raffles' secret act of atonement; wounded in the war and struggling with the past.

• Lady Melrose

  Mentioned as the aunt of Bunny's former fiancée, who has since died.

Key passages

• “I would rather pay the shot than see poor Bunny suffer for it.”

  Raffles would rather bear the consequences himself than let Bunny face punishment.

  Raffles' motivation for confessing to Bunny's former fiancée.

• “He had told me his secret, thrown himself on my mercy, and put his liberty if not his life in my hands, but all for your sake, Harry, to right you in my eyes at his own expense.”

  Raffles revealed his identity as a criminal to Bunny's former fiancée solely to restore her opinion of Bunny, risking his own freedom.

  The fiancée explains Raffles' self-sacrificial act.

• “You must make a new name for yourself. You must Harry, and you will!”

  The fiancée encourages Bunny to rebuild his life and reputation through writing.

  A call for Bunny to move forward from his criminal past.