III explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Moral Failure and Self-Destruction

  Willems' embezzlement and subsequent downfall illustrate his moral collapse and the self-destructive consequences of his actions.

• Betrayal and Trust

  Willems betrays Hudig's trust, and is in turn betrayed by his wife Joanna, who reveals her long-hidden hatred and refuses to support him.

• Isolation and Outcast Status

  After his expulsion, Willems is utterly alone, rejected by his wife and family, and wanders the streets as a man without a past or future.

Characters to notice

• Willems

  Embezzles from Hudig, is discovered and expelled, then confronts his wife and brother-in-law before fleeing into the night.

• Joanna

  Reveals her long-suppressed hatred for Willems, refuses to leave with him, and claims the house as hers.

• Hudig

  Discovers Willems' embezzlement and expels him, insulting him in the private office.

• Mr. Vinck

  Observes Willems' final departure from Hudig's office, hiding his face in the safe.

• Leonard da Souza

  Confronts Willems at the house with a rusty iron bar, later is knocked down by Willems at the gate.

Key passages

• “The opportunity and the temptation were too much for Willems, and under the pressure of sudden necessity he abused that trust which was his pride, the perpetual sign of his cleverness and a load too heavy for him to carry.”

  Willems gave in to temptation and betrayed the trust that had been both his pride and a burden.

  Describes the beginning of Willems' moral failure.

• “He saw himself safe. Again he could look hopefully towards the goal of his legitimate ambition. Nobody would dare to suspect him, and in a few days there would be nothing to suspect. He was elated. He did not know that his prosperity had touched then its high-water mark, and that the tide was already on the turn.”

  Willems thought he had escaped detection and felt triumphant, unaware that his luck was about to run out.

  Foreshadows Willems' imminent downfall.

• “Oh! You great man! ... And you think that I am going to starve with you. You are nobody now.”

  Joanna mocks Willems' former pride and refuses to share his poverty.

  Joanna's rejection reveals her long-hidden contempt.

• “A man without a past, without a future, yet full of pain and shame and anger.”

  Willems feels completely lost, burdened only by his suffering and rage.

  Captures Willems' state of utter isolation after his fall.