He Knew He Was Right · Chapter
Trevelyan at Venice explained
Louis Trevelyan, in Venice, receives obsessive dispatches from detective Bozzle about Colonel Osborne's movements.
What happens
Louis Trevelyan, in Venice, receives obsessive dispatches from detective Bozzle about Colonel Osborne's movements. Bozzle reports that Osborne visited Mr. Outhouse's parsonage, fueling Trevelyan's jealousy. Trevelyan writes accusatory letters to Mr. Outhouse, lawyer Bideawhile, and Bozzle, threatening to remove his son from Emily's custody. Mr. Outhouse responds indignantly, defending his actions and denying any misconduct. Trevelyan, isolated and paranoid, plans to take legal action to gain custody of his child.
Themes in this chapter
Marital Jealousy and Possessiveness
Trevelyan's obsessive reading of Bozzle's letters and his determination to remove his son from Emily's custody highlight his consuming jealousy and possessive control.
Madness and Obsession
Trevelyan's irrational behavior, tearing his hair and writing threatening letters, demonstrates his descent into obsession and near-madness.
Social Reputation and Gossip
Bozzle's surveillance and the accusations about Colonel Osborne's visit underscore the power of gossip and reputation in Victorian society.
Characters to notice
- Louis Trevelyan
In Venice, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, he reads Bozzle's letters and writes threatening letters to Mr. Outhouse and others.
- Mr. Bozzle
The detective diligently reports on Colonel Osborne's visit to the parsonage, fueling Trevelyan's suspicions.
- Colonel Osborne
Visits Mr. Outhouse's parsonage, though he does not see Emily or Nora.
- Rev. Oliphant Outhouse
Receives Trevelyan's accusatory letter and responds with indignation, defending his actions and the women under his roof.
- Emily Trevelyan
Staying at Mr. Outhouse's parsonage with her child; she is unaware of Trevelyan's latest accusations.
- Mr. Bideawhile
Trevelyan's lawyer, who advises that nothing can be done about the child until Trevelyan returns to England.
Key passages
“It is not exaggeration to say that every letter made him for the time a very wretched man.”
Each letter from Bozzle caused Trevelyan intense misery.
Highlights Trevelyan's emotional torment from the detective's reports.
“But Trevelyan, though he had in truth given the order, was like Othello also in this—that he would have preferred before all the prizes of the world to have had proof brought home to him exactly opposite to that which he demanded.”
Like Othello, Trevelyan wanted evidence that would disprove his suspicions, even though he had asked for proof of guilt.
Draws a parallel between Trevelyan and Othello, emphasizing his tragic self-destructive jealousy.
“He gnashed his teeth, and clenched his fist, and was almost beside himself as he read the letter a second time.”
Trevelyan reacted with extreme anger and agitation upon rereading Mr. Outhouse's response.
Illustrates Trevelyan's volatile and unstable mental state.