# XXI explained — The Dewy Morn

> Chapter companion for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Abner Brown, imprisoned on suspicion of murder, learns from a constable that Mary Shaw has been buried in an oak coffin paid for by Felise Goring. The news of Felise's kindness moves Abner to tears, contrasting with the harshness of his situation and the injustice of his confinement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Injustice

Abner's imprisonment on unsupported charges and the contrast between oak and deal coffins highlight class-based injustice and the dehumanization of the poor.

### Beauty and Aesthetic Worship

Felise's insistence on oak for Mary's coffin reflects a respect for the dead that transcends class, touching on the aesthetic and moral importance of proper burial.

## Character check-ins

### Abner Brown

Imprisoned and grieving Mary Shaw's death; moved to tears by Felise's kindness in providing a proper burial.

### Mary Shaw

Has been interred; her suicide and burial in oak are discussed.

### Felise Goring

Arranged for Mary Shaw's oak coffin, showing compassion despite the circumstances.

### Mr. Goring

Presumed to have paid for the oak coffin arranged by Felise.

### Justice Shallow Cornleigh

Remanded Abner Brown until the magistrates' meeting.

## Key lines

> They've planted her. Mary Shaw had been interred.

Mary Shaw has been buried.

_The constable informs Abner of Mary's burial._

> Miss Goring paid for it. Leastways her had it done; s'pose Mr. Goring paid for it. She said she could not abear her to be buried in deal like the workhouse folk. So her lies in oak.

Felise Goring arranged for Mary to be buried in an oak coffin instead of the cheap deal used for paupers.

_Felise's compassion ensures Mary receives a dignified burial._

> He was himself in prison, labelled forever as a suspected murderer, simply because he was poor; for no man who wore broadcloth and gold watch-chain would have been committed on so unsupported a charge.

Abner is imprisoned and branded a suspected murderer only because of his poverty; a wealthy man would not have been charged on such weak evidence.

_The narrative condemns class-based injustice in the legal system._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters