Robbery Under Arms · Chapter
Homecoming and Family Tension explained
Jim and Dick Marston return home to Rocky Creek for Christmas, reuniting with their mother and sister Aileen.
What happens
Jim and Dick Marston return home to Rocky Creek for Christmas, reuniting with their mother and sister Aileen. The family discusses the risk of police attention, the fate of Starlight in New Zealand, and the contrasting success of George Storefield. Aileen expresses concern about their criminal lifestyle, while Jim deflects with humor. The chapter highlights the tension between the Marstons' outlaw existence and the desire for a peaceful home life.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Loyalty
The Marston family reunion underscores the bonds of love and loyalty despite the brothers' criminal activities.
Class and Social Mobility
George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings contrasts with the Marstons' stagnation, highlighting themes of hard work versus outlawry.
Crime and Punishment
The constant fear of police and the discussion of Starlight's arrest illustrate the consequences of a life of crime.
Characters to notice
- Jim Marston
Returns home with Dick, tries to cheer Aileen with humor, shows affection for family.
- Dick Marston
Narrates the chapter, returns home with Jim, observes family dynamics.
- Aileen Marston
Overjoyed at her brothers' return, worries about their safety, tries to steer them toward honest living.
- Mother Marston
Emotional at seeing her sons, prays for their safety, grateful for their return.
- Dad Marston
Provides news about Starlight's situation in New Zealand and advises the brothers to lie low.
- George Storefield
Mentioned as a successful farmer who has risen in life, contrasting with the Marstons.
Key passages
“Why do you make fun of these things, Jim, dear? ... Oughtn't a steady worker to rise in life, and isn't it sad to see cleverer men and better workers—if they liked—kept down by their own fault?”
Aileen questions Jim's mockery of George Storefield's success, arguing that hard work should lead to advancement and lamenting that talented people are held back by their own choices.
Aileen expresses her moral stance on honest labor versus criminality.
“The dingo must live as well as the collie or the sheep either. One's been made just the same as the other.”
Jim defends the outlaw's way of life by comparing it to the dingo's natural existence, suggesting that all creatures have a right to survive in their own way.
Jim uses a natural analogy to justify his criminal lifestyle.
“I believe you're the smartest man of the crowd, dad, ... What do you think we'd better do? What's our best dart?”
Jim flatters his father and asks for advice on how to avoid police detection now that they are home.
Jim seeks guidance from his father, acknowledging his experience in evading the law.