The Dead Letter · Chapter
Embarked for California explained
Richard Redfield and Mr.
What happens
Richard Redfield and Mr. Burton embark for California under assumed names to track the suspect in the murder of Henry Moreland. During the voyage, Redfield reflects on his past love for Eleanor Argyll, now transformed into reverence, and his protective feelings toward Mary, whom he fears will be unhappily married to James. Mr. Burton, restless and anxious, leaves the ship at Acapulco to pursue a lead, instructing Redfield to care for his daughter Lenore and meet him later at the isthmus. Redfield is left with a foreboding sense of isolation and mystery.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Loss
Redfield's transformation of his love for Eleanor into reverence and grief, and his melancholy reflections on lost hopes.
Justice and Investigation
Mr. Burton's determined pursuit of the murderer, using passenger lists and tracking a banknote; Redfield's role as assistant.
Fate and Providence
Mr. Burton sees Providence in the delay at Acapulco; Redfield feels a foreboding of evil and a sense of being led by mysterious forces.
Characters to notice
- Richard Redfield
Narrator and assistant to Mr. Burton; reflects on his past love for Eleanor and his concern for Mary's marriage; experiences a sea-change in outlook.
- Mr. Burton
Detective traveling under assumed name; restless and anxious during voyage; disembarks at Acapulco to pursue a lead, leaving Redfield in charge of Lenore.
- Nora
Mr. Burton's daughter, called Lenore; bright and healthy during the voyage; becomes the light of the steamer; distressed by her father's departure.
- Eleanor Argyll
Recalled in Redfield's sea-reveries as a saint-like figure; his passion for her has changed into reverence and grief.
- Mary Argyll
Redfield feels a brotherly love for her and fears her marriage to James; he admires her beauty and noble character.
- James Argyll
Redfield distrusts his motives; believes James loves Eleanor but sees Mary only as a means to secure property and respectability.
Key passages
“My once strong passion had been slowly changing into reverence; I had grieved with her with a grief utterly self-abnegating, and when I saw that her despair had worked itself up to a patient and aspiring resignation, I now felt less of pity and more of affectionate reverence.”
My love for Eleanor gradually turned into deep respect; I mourned with her selflessly, and as her despair became calm acceptance, my pity gave way to loving reverence.
Redfield describes his evolving feelings for Eleanor during his sea reveries.
“I would run the risk of being again treated as before—of being misunderstood and insulted—I would run any risk to save her from the unhappiness which must come from such a partnership!”
I would face being mistreated and misunderstood again to rescue Mary from the misery of marrying James.
Redfield's internal conflict about intervening in Mary's marriage to James.
“How curious are the ways of Providence! It seems as if I receive help outside of myself. I was vexed to hear that we were to be delayed at Acapulco, and now this has proven our salvation.”
Providence works in strange ways; the delay at Acapulco that annoyed me has turned out to be our rescue.
Mr. Burton reflects on the unexpected benefit of the ship's stop at Acapulco.