Moonfleet · Chapter
The Jewel explained
John Trenchard and Elzevir Block visit the diamond merchant Mr.
What happens
John Trenchard and Elzevir Block visit the diamond merchant Mr. Aldobrand to have the great diamond appraised. Aldobrand tests the stone and attempts to deceive them, but John, driven by greed, smashes through a window to reclaim the jewel. After a struggle, John secures the diamond and they escape. Later, Elzevir warns John of the curse associated with the stone and urges him to abandon it, but John persuades him to attempt a return to Aldobrand's garden to retrieve the diamond again, ignoring Elzevir's misgivings.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Its Consequences
John's overwhelming desire for the diamond leads him to reckless action, ignoring Elzevir's warnings about the curse and the moral choice between right and wrong.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Elzevir's steadfast loyalty to John contrasts with John's internal betrayal of Elzevir's trust, as John manipulates him into returning for the diamond.
Characters to notice
- John Trenchard
John reveals his name and birthplace to Aldobrand, becomes obsessed with the diamond, smashes through a window to reclaim it, and later persuades Elzevir to return to Aldobrand's garden despite warnings.
- Elzevir Block
Elzevir tries to protect John by limiting what he says to Aldobrand, warns John about the diamond's curse, and reluctantly agrees to return to the garden out of love for John.
- Mr. Aldobrand
The diamond merchant who tests the stone, attempts to deceive John and Elzevir, and is overpowered by John when he reclaims the diamond.
Key passages
“My name is John Trenchard, sir, and I come from Moonfleet, in Dorset.”
John blurts out his full name and hometown to Aldobrand, immediately regretting it.
This disclosure later proves fateful, as Aldobrand records it in his ledger.
“Am I not queen of all diamonds of the world? am I not your diamond? will you not take me to yourself again? will you save me from this sorry trickster?”
The diamond seems to call out to John, personified as a queen, urging him to reclaim it from the deceitful merchant.
John's personification of the diamond reflects his obsessive attachment and the moral conflict within him.
“Let us be going; a minute more and he may come to put these shutters to, and find us here. Let us be going. Diamonds are not for simple folk like us; this is an evil stone, and brings a curse with it. Let us be going, John.”
Elzevir urges John to leave, warning that the diamond is cursed and not meant for them.
Elzevir's repeated pleas highlight his protective nature and foreshadow the stone's dangerous influence.
“I hurled myself forward with all my weight full on the joining of the window frames, and in a second crashed through the glass, and through the wooden blind into the room behind.”
John throws himself against the window, shattering glass and wood to burst into the room.
This violent act demonstrates John's desperation and the lengths he will go to for the diamond.
“What do we want with this thing at all? I have got money to be touched at need; we may lie quiet this side the Channel, where thou shalt learn an honest trade, and when the mischief has blown over we will go back to Moonfleet. So let the jewel be, John; shall we not let the jewel be?”
Elzevir suggests they abandon the diamond, use his own savings, and start a new honest life across the Channel.
Elzevir's practical and moral advice contrasts sharply with John's greed-driven persistence.