Emily of New Moon · Chapter
A Watch in the Night explained
Douglas Starr reveals to Emily that he is dying, shares the story of her mother Juliet and the Murray family's pride, and comforts her with a vision of death as a door to reunion.
What happens
Douglas Starr reveals to Emily that he is dying, shares the story of her mother Juliet and the Murray family's pride, and comforts her with a vision of death as a door to reunion. He speaks of his love for Juliet, the Murray's rejection of their marriage, and his decision to keep Emily with him until the end.
Themes in this chapter
Loss and Grief
Emily confronts the impending loss of her father, while Douglas reflects on the death of his wife Juliet and the grief of separation.
Family and Belonging
The chapter explores the Murray family's pride, their rejection of Douglas, and the question of where Emily will belong after her father's death.
Pride and Social Class
The Murray pride is a central conflict, as it caused a rift over Juliet's marriage to a poor journalist and influences their treatment of Emily.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Emily learns of her father's impending death, recalls her mother's funeral, and finds comfort in her father's words about love and the afterlife.
- Douglas Starr
Douglas reveals his terminal illness, recounts his marriage to Juliet Murray and the Murray family's pride, and expresses his love for Emily and his hope for reunion with Juliet.
- Juliet Murray
Juliet is remembered as Douglas's beloved wife, a pretty and charming Murray who married against her family's wishes and died when Emily was four.
- Ellen Greene
Ellen Greene is criticized by Douglas for telling Emily about his death in a brutal manner; he calls her 'old absurdity' and 'hen-brained.'
- Aunt Elizabeth Murray
Aunt Elizabeth is mentioned as one of the Murray siblings living at New Moon Farm, who wore her best black satin to Juliet's funeral.
- Aunt Laura Murray
Aunt Laura is mentioned as living at New Moon Farm and resembling Juliet in eyes and voice.
- Cousin Jimmy Murray
Cousin Jimmy is mentioned as living with Elizabeth and Laura at New Moon Farm.
- Uncle Wallace
Uncle Wallace is mentioned as one of the Murray siblings who admitted that a woman should belong to her husband's family in death.
Key passages
“The Murray pride couldn’t tolerate the thing at all.”
The Murray family's arrogance made them unable to accept the marriage.
Douglas explains the family's reaction to his marriage to Juliet.
“Death isn’t terrible. The universe is full of love—and spring comes everywhere—and in death you open and shut a door.”
Death is not frightening; it is like opening and closing a door into a loving universe.
Douglas comforts Emily with a gentle view of death.
“She will love deeply—she will suffer terribly—she will have glorious moments to compensate—as I have had.”
Emily will experience deep love, great suffering, and wonderful moments that make up for it, just as I did.
Douglas's final murmured reflection on Emily's future.
