The Gold Bat · Chapter
III: The Mayor’s Statue explained
O'Hara visits Trevor's study for tea and recounts his recent exploits, including a clever rag on the French master and a nighttime adventure with Moriarty to tar-and-leaf the statue of Sir Eustace Briggs, the Mayor of Wrykyn.
What happens
O'Hara visits Trevor's study for tea and recounts his recent exploits, including a clever rag on the French master and a nighttime adventure with Moriarty to tar-and-leaf the statue of Sir Eustace Briggs, the Mayor of Wrykyn. During the visit, O'Hara realizes he has lost the gold bat entrusted to him by Trevor, likely near the statue.
Themes in this chapter
Authority and Rebellion
O'Hara and Moriarty rebel against the authority of Sir Eustace Briggs and Mr. Dexter by tarring the mayor's statue and ragging the French master.
Justice and Retribution
O'Hara views the tarring of the statue as a justified response to Sir Eustace Briggs' anti-Irish letter, seeking retribution for perceived injustice.
Friendship and Betrayal
O'Hara's friendship with Moriarty is central to the nighttime adventure, while Trevor's trust is tested by the loss of the gold bat.
Characters to notice
- O'Hara
Visits Trevor's study, recounts his rag on the French master and the tarring of Sir Eustace Briggs' statue, and discovers he has lost the gold bat.
- Trevor
Hosts O'Hara in his study, listens to his stories, and expresses concern about the lost gold bat.
- Clowes
Present in Trevor's study, enjoys O'Hara's tales and comments on the situation.
- Moriarty
O'Hara's ally who helped tar the statue; mentioned as having a key to the boathouse.
- Dexter
O'Hara's house master, who taunts him about the Irish and locks the dormitory at night.
- Sir Eustace Briggs
Mayor of Wrykyn, whose statue is tarred by O'Hara and Moriarty in retaliation for his anti-Irish letter.
Key passages
“One of the rules that governed the life of Donough O’Hara, the lighthearted descendant of the O’Haras of Castle Taterfields, Co. Clare, Ireland, was “Never refuse the offer of a free tea.””
O'Hara's personal motto is to always accept a free tea, which leads him to accept Trevor's invitation.
Establishes O'Hara's character and motivation for visiting Trevor.
“We did his face first. It was too dark to see really well, but I think we made a good job of it.”
O'Hara and Moriarty tarred the statue's face first, working in the dark, and believed they did a thorough job.
Describes the key action of the chapter—the vandalism of the statue.
“I could have sworn it was in that pocket. ... It's gone. Man, I'm most awfully sorry. I'd sooner have lost a ten-pound note.”
O'Hara realizes he has lost the gold bat, expressing deep regret and apologizing to Trevor.
Highlights the loss of the gold bat, a critical plot point.