# The Riot at the Unveiling explained — The Big Bow Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill.

## What happens

During the unveiling of Arthur Constant's portrait, Wimp attempts to arrest Tom Mortlake for murder, triggering a riot. Mortlake delivers a defiant speech, and the crowd, led by Peter Crowl, turns violent. In the chaos, the gas is turned off, allowing Mortlake to escape. Wimp is humiliated, and Grodman watches with amusement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Injustice

Wimp's arrest of Mortlake is perceived as unjust by the crowd, leading to a riot and Mortlake's escape.

### The Role of the Public and Media

The crowd's emotional reaction and the presence of reporters highlight the public's power to influence events.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The contrast between Constant's peaceful portrait and the violent riot underscores the theme of appearance versus reality.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Mortlake

Arrested by Wimp during the ceremony, delivers a speech, and escapes during the riot.

### Edward Wimp

Attempts to arrest Mortlake, but the crowd turns against him; his plan fails.

### Peter Crowl

Leads the crowd in defiance, turns off the gas to help Mortlake escape, later eats supper with a bandaged head.

### George Grodman

Observes the scene with amusement, feeling vindicated by Wimp's blunder.

### Denzil Cantercot

Helps Mortlake escape during the riot, later recounts the story to Crowl.

### Mr. Gladstone

Present at the ceremony, hurried away by aides as the riot begins.

## Key lines

> For a moment there was an acute, terrible silence. Mortlake’s face was that of a corpse; the face of the dead man at his side was flushed with the hues of life.

A tense silence fell; Mortlake looked deathly pale, while Constant's portrait seemed vividly alive.

_Highlights the stark contrast between Mortlake and Constant's portrait._

> Wimp’s melodrama was not going well. He felt like the author to whose ears is borne the ominous sibilance of the pit.

Wimp's plan was failing, and he sensed the audience's disapproval like a playwright hearing hissing from the gallery.

_Compares Wimp's failed arrest to a poorly received theatrical performance._

> He turned off the gas at the meter. An Arctic night—unpreceded by twilight—fell, and there dawned the sabbath of the witches.

Crowl shut off the gas, plunging the hall into sudden darkness, which led to chaotic violence.

_Describes Crowl's decisive action that enables Mortlake's escape._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters/ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_bow_mystery_se/chapters