Somebody Becomes the Subject of a Prediction explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Death and Mortality

  The chapter centers on Betty Higden's funeral and burial, exploring themes of mortality, the dignity of the poor in death, and the inadequacy of society's remembrance of them.

• Charity and Hypocrisy

  The Reverend Milvey's troubled reading of the burial service hints at the hypocrisy of the Poor Law system, and the contrast between the simple grave and the potential for sentiment in society is examined.

• The River as Symbol

  The river near the churchyard and paper-mill is described as a serene mirror reflecting peaceful images, contrasting with the grim reality of death and poverty, and serving as a backdrop for reflection.

Characters to notice

• Reverend Frank Milvey

  Conducts the funeral service for Betty Higden, speaking with a troubled voice and later comforting Sloppy.

• Sloppy

  Deeply grieving at Betty Higden's grave, he expresses regret for not having worked harder for her, and refuses to be consoled by the minister's words.

• John Rokesmith

  Attends the funeral as a mourner; later walks with Bella and discusses Lizzie Hexam's request for secrecy, encouraging Bella to speak with Lizzie alone.

• Bella Wilfer

  Attends the funeral, then speaks privately with Lizzie Hexam at her home; she is commissioned to ask Lizzie about the reasons for her secrecy and shows a growing interest in Rokesmith's opinion.

• Lizzie Hexam

  Describes how she found Betty Higden and arranged for her burial; she welcomes Bella to her humble room and later becomes the subject of Bella and Rokesmith's conversation about her stipulation of secrecy.

• Mrs. Milvey

  Attends the funeral and later brings news about the village school, expressing relief that it is Christian and not Judaically influenced.

Key passages

• “We give thee hearty thanks for that it hath pleased thee to deliver this our sister out of the miseries of this sinful world.”

  We sincerely thank you for choosing to free this woman from the sufferings of this corrupt world.

  Spoken by Reverend Frank Milvey at Betty Higden's funeral, the prayer is read with unease, hinting at the failures of the Poor Law.

• “I've took it in my head that I might have sometimes turned a little harder for her, and it cuts me deep to think so now.”

  I've come to believe that I could have worked a bit harder for her, and that thought wounds me deeply now.

  Sloppy expresses his guilt and grief after Betty Higden's burial, feeling he did not do enough for her.

• “Not a very poor grave, when it has that homely figure on it. Richer, I think, than it could be made by most of the sculpture in Westminster Abbey!”

  This grave is not truly poor, since it has that humble person weeping over it. I believe it is more valuable than many elaborate monuments in Westminster Abbey.

  Reverend Milvey remarks on the richness of Sloppy's genuine grief compared to grand but empty memorials.

• “Perhaps the old mirror was never yet made by human hands, which, if all the images it has in its time reflected could pass across its surface again, would fail to reveal some scene of horror or distress.”

  No mirror ever created by humans could show all the terrible and sad scenes it has reflected over time without revealing something horrifying.

  Narrative reflection on the river as a mirror, suggesting that even peaceful scenes hide past horrors.

• “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.”

  Anyone who makes another person's life easier is not useless in this world.

  John Rokesmith comforts Bella when she disparages herself, emphasizing the value of helping others.