Robbery Under Arms · Chapter
XXVI explained
Dick Marston visits his sister Aileen at Rocky Flat, where they share a heartfelt reunion.
What happens
Dick Marston visits his sister Aileen at Rocky Flat, where they share a heartfelt reunion. Aileen updates him on George Storefield's success and her own hard work, while Dick discusses his life at the Hollow with Starlight and the gang. They talk about Gracey Storefield's kindness, the discovery of Mr. Wharton's remains, and Starlight's plan to send the gold to England. The chapter ends with a tense argument between Dick and Jim about violence, after which Dick faints from pain.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Social Mobility
George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings to wealth contrasts with the Marston family's decline, highlighting class divisions and the possibility of upward mobility through hard work.
Love and Sacrifice
Aileen's selfless love for her family and Gracey's devotion to Dick are contrasted with the tragic love story of Mr. Wharton and his wife, emphasizing sacrifice and loyalty.
Characters to notice
- Dick Marston
Visits Aileen at Rocky Flat, shares news of the Hollow and Starlight's plans, argues with Jim about violence.
- Aileen Marston
Reunites with Dick, shows her rough hands from hard work, speaks of George Storefield and Gracey, praises Starlight's nobility.
- George Storefield
Mentioned as prospering at the diggings, kind to Aileen and mother, but she refuses his help.
- Gracey Storefield
Visits Aileen often, helps with threshing, is in love with Dick.
- Captain Starlight
Discussed as planning to send gold to England, praised by Aileen for his noble character.
Key passages
“The harder I work the better I feel. It's trying to do without honest labour that we were all born to that makes more than half the sin and misery in the world.”
Aileen believes that hard work is a remedy for sorrow and that idleness leads to sin and suffering.
Aileen defends her laborious life as morally superior to the idle rich.
“There's something noble about that man, in spite of the life he has led and still leads. No one can look at him without thinking what a dreadful pity it is that a blight should have fallen upon so fair a promise as his must have been.”
Aileen admires Starlight's inherent nobility despite his criminal life, lamenting the wasted potential.
Aileen expresses her complex view of Starlight as a tragic figure.