# XI: A Strange Confession explained — The Jade God

> Chapter companion for The Jade God by Alan Sullivan.

## What happens

Derrick visits Martin in Bamberley jail, where Martin confesses the truth about his wife's involvement in Millicent's death and the influence of the jade god. Blunt, the peddler, reveals the god's evil power and demands its return to Burma. Derrick frees Martin, who returns to the cottage.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Occult and Supernatural

The jade god is described as a vessel of evil power, influencing events and causing death.

### Colonialism and Orientalism

The story contrasts Western rationality with Eastern mysticism, as Blunt speaks of ancient wisdom from the Mong Hills.

### Sacrifice and Destruction

Martin's willingness to face the gallows for his wife and the god's demand for sacrifices highlight themes of sacrifice.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. John Derrick

Visits Martin in jail, questions him, and ultimately frees him.

### John Martin

Confesses his perjury and the truth about his wife's actions, driven by the jade god's influence.

### Blunt

The peddler, reveals the jade god's history and demands its return.

### Sergeant Burke

Present during the confession, listens but remains skeptical.

## Key lines

> The whole earth, bathed in bright sun and clear air, looked younger when Derrick walked into Bamberley next morning.

The morning after the fog, the world seemed fresh and new to Derrick as he entered Bamberley.

_Contrasts the previous foggy night with a bright, hopeful morning._

> I knew that I had to act quickly if I was going to save her and got it into her head that she must break the news to Mrs. Millicent, who would send her straight to the cottage again.

Martin realized he had to act fast to protect his wife, so he convinced her to inform Mrs. Millicent, which would lead her back to the cottage.

_Martin explains his quick thinking to shield his wife from suspicion._

> The god of all evil lives in it, and whoever keeps it will be cursed. Joy will die for him, and fear will come, and love be changed to a dream of terror.

The jade god contains pure evil, and anyone who possesses it will suffer a curse: loss of joy, onset of fear, and love turning into a nightmare.

_Blunt's warning about the jade god's malevolent power._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/xi-a-strange-confession
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jade_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters