# V: Bindon Intervenes explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by H. G. Wells.

## What happens

Bindon, a wealthy and vain man, becomes obsessed with Elizabeth after she elopes with Denton. He plots revenge by using his financial influence to ruin the couple, forcing them into poverty and the Labour Company, with the ultimate goal of coercing Elizabeth into divorcing Denton so he can marry her himself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Inequality

Bindon uses his wealth and power to systematically destroy Denton and Elizabeth, highlighting the vast disparities in social class and the ability of the rich to control the lives of the poor.

### Love and Marriage

The chapter explores distorted forms of love and marriage: Bindon's obsessive 'love' for Elizabeth is a possessive desire, while Elizabeth's marriage to Denton is undermined by external manipulation.

### Gender and Power

Bindon's plot to force Elizabeth into divorce and marriage demonstrates male dominance and the objectification of women, as Elizabeth is treated as a prize to be won rather than an autonomous person.

## Character check-ins

### V. Bindon

Bindon is the central figure of the chapter, driven by wounded vanity and obsessive passion for Elizabeth. He schemes to destroy Denton and force Elizabeth into divorce.

### Elizabeth Mwres

Mwres, Elizabeth's father, is portrayed as a desperate and self-serving figure who collaborates with Bindon to ruin his own daughter and her husband.

### Denton

Denton is the target of Bindon's revenge, described as 'worthless' and the husband of Elizabeth, whose ruin Bindon orchestrates.

### Elizabeth Mwres

Elizabeth is the object of Bindon's obsession. She is forced into poverty and the Labour Company, and Bindon plots to make her divorce Denton.

## Key lines

> She shall divorce him! I will have it so—I will work it so. By God! it shall be so. He shall be disgraced, so that she must. He shall be smashed and pulverised.

Bindon declares his intention to force Elizabeth to divorce Denton, vowing to ruin Denton completely.

_This quote encapsulates Bindon's ruthless determination and his use of power to destroy his rival._

> Bindon sat himself to the work of being Elizabeth’s malignant providence, using with ingenious dexterity every particle of advantage wealth in those days gave a man over his fellow-creatures.

Bindon deliberately acts as a malicious force in Elizabeth's life, exploiting his wealth to control her fate.

_This highlights the theme of social class and inequality, showing how wealth enables oppression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_25_se/chapters/v-bindon-intervenes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_25_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_25_se/chapters