Can Such Things Be? · Chapter
The Middle Toe of the Right Foot explained
A man named Manton, who has been estranged from his wife for ten years, returns to their home with his two children.
What happens
A man named Manton, who has been estranged from his wife for ten years, returns to their home with his two children. The wife, who has been living in the house with her father, is found dead in a locked room with her throat cut. The mystery deepens when it is discovered that the middle toe of her right foot has been severed. The story explores themes of guilt, retribution, and the supernatural as the circumstances of her death are investigated.
Themes in this chapter
Guilt and Retribution
The murder and the severed toe suggest a ritualistic or symbolic act of retribution, possibly linked to past wrongs.
The Uncanny and the Grotesque
The severed toe and the locked-room mystery create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, typical of Bierce's supernatural tales.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Manton
The estranged husband who returns home with his children, only to find his wife murdered.
- Jaralson
The detective investigating the murder of Mrs. Manton.
Key passages
“The middle toe of the right foot had been cut off.”
The third toe on her right foot was missing, having been severed.
Key detail of the crime scene that adds a grotesque and puzzling element.