# II: The Floods explained — Moonfleet

> Chapter companion for Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner.

## What happens

John Trenchard reflects on the legend of Blackbeard's hidden diamond and investigates strange noises from the Mohune vault. During a storm on November 3rd, a great flood inundates Moonfleet, flooding the churchyard and the Why Not? inn. The chapter explores the mystery of the vault and the community's response to the natural disaster.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Its Consequences

John's curiosity about Blackbeard's diamond and the legend of the treasure highlight the theme of greed and its potential moral consequences.

### Fate and Free Will

Mr. Glennie's sermon on the letter Y emphasizes the choice between the easy path to destruction and the narrow path of life, reflecting the theme of fate and free will.

## Character check-ins

### John Trenchard

Investigates the strange noises from the Mohune vault and experiences the great flood.

### Elzevir Block

Found listening at the church wall with Ratsey; remains stoic during the flood, refusing to leave the Why Not?.

### Ratsey

Caught listening at the church wall; later helps calm villagers during the flood.

### Reverend Mr. Glennie

Preaches a sermon comparing life to the letter Y; dismisses the vault noises as natural phenomena caused by the floods.

### Granny Tucker

Panics during the church service, crying out about the Mohunes rising from their graves.

### Mr. Maskew

Mentioned as part of the community; not directly involved in the chapter's events.

## Key lines

> He made a last will, which I have seen, to this effect, but without describing the treasure further than to call it a diamond, nor saying where it was to be found.

John recalls that Blackbeard's will mentioned a diamond but gave no details about its location.

_Establishes the mystery of the hidden treasure._

> Then banks came down with ruin and rout, Then beaten spray flew round about, Then all the mighty floods were out, And all the world was in the sea.

The chapter opens with a poem describing the overwhelming power of the flood.

_Sets the tone for the chapter's central event._

> O Master, however can'ee bide there preaching when the Moons be rising from their graves?

Granny Tucker panics, asking how the minister can continue preaching when the Mohunes are rising from their graves.

_Illustrates the superstitious fear of the villagers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/ii-the-floods
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moonfleet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters