# George Gerard explained — The Cloven Foot

> Chapter companion for The Cloven Foot by M. E. Braddon.

## What happens

John Treverton has recovered from his injury and resumes his life with Laura, participating in a New Year's Day hunt. Meanwhile, Celia Clare anticipates the arrival of her brother Edward's friend, George Gerard, a young doctor from London. When Gerard arrives, he proves to be a serious, intelligent man, and Celia finds herself intrigued by him despite his evident poverty. The chapter explores Gerard's difficult past and his solitary struggle for success in his profession.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Wealth

Celia's awareness of Gerard's poverty and her discomfort with it contrast with the Trevertons' prosperous lifestyle, highlighting class distinctions.

### Bohemianism vs. Respectability

Gerard's hard, ambitious, and solitary professional life as a doctor in London stands in contrast to the comfortable, domestic respectability of the Clare household.

## Character check-ins

### John Treverton

Recovered from his injury, he rides with Laura at the New Year's Day hunt, aiming to restore the hunting traditions of his great uncle.

### Laura Malcolm

Rides her grey Arab at the hunt, having become a competent horsewoman under John's guidance.

### Celia Clare

Anxiously anticipates the arrival of her brother's friend, George Gerard, and is both intrigued and critical of his appearance and poverty.

### George Gerard

A young, poor doctor from London, visiting the Vicarage. He is intelligent, determined, and has a hard, solitary background.

### Edward Clare

Arranges a play in London and brings his friend George Gerard to stay at the Vicarage.

### Mr. Sampson

Mentioned as arriving at the hunt on a bony horse.

## Key lines

> John Treverton was out of the doctor’s hands before Christmas was over, and able to appear on his mare Black Bess, with his wife, mounted on the gentlest of grey Arabs, at the lawn meet which was held at the Manor House on New Year’s Day.

John Treverton had recovered from his injury by the end of Christmas and was able to ride his mare Black Bess, while his wife Laura rode a gentle grey Arab, at the New Year's Day hunt meeting at the Manor House.

_Establishes John's recovery and the couple's participation in the hunt._

> He had begun the battle of life with a determination to place himself among those who conquer. His ambition was hard and bitter. He had none of those incentives to effort that sweeten toil, where a man knows that he is working for mother, or wife or children.

Gerard started his career resolved to succeed, but his ambition was harsh and without the softening influence of family to work for.

_Reveals Gerard's solitary and driven character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxix-george-gerard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters