The Lodger · Chapter
The Black Museum explained
Daisy Bunting visits New Scotland Yard with her father and Joe Chandler, touring the Fingerprint Room and the Black Museum.
What happens
Daisy Bunting visits New Scotland Yard with her father and Joe Chandler, touring the Fingerprint Room and the Black Museum. The exhibits of murder weapons and death masks unsettle Daisy, while Bunting becomes fascinated by the tools of Charles Peace and discussions of the Avenger murders. Chandler invites Daisy to visit his mother in Richmond.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Suspicion
Daisy's fear of encountering a murderer and the discussion of the Avenger's elusiveness highlight the pervasive suspicion in society.
Psychology of the Criminal
The museum exhibits and the analysis of the Avenger as a 'cunning, quiet' madman delve into the criminal mind and methods.
Appearance vs. Reality
The death masks appear 'foolish' rather than terrified, and the shabby exhibits belie their sinister role in convicting murderers, contrasting surface with truth.
Characters to notice
- Daisy
Daisy is awed by Scotland Yard but disturbed by the Black Museum's death masks and exhibits, feeling the 'horrors' and wanting to leave.
- Mr. Bunting
Bunting is fascinated by the museum, especially the tools of Charles Peace and the discussion of the Avenger case, showing a troubled interest in criminal methods.
- Joe Chandler
Chandler guides the tour with pride, explaining fingerprint identification and inviting Daisy to visit his mother in Richmond.
- Charles Peace
Peace's folding ladder and tools are displayed as a highlight of the museum, described as a 'wonderful man' and inventor.
- The Avenger
Discussed as a cunning madman; a letter signed 'The Avenger' posted in Edgware Road is mentioned, linking the case to the Buntings' neighborhood.
Key passages
“They don’t look dead somehow. They looks more as if they were listening.”
Bunting observes that the death masks seem alive and attentive rather than lifeless.
Reflects Bunting's fascination with the eerie realism of the casts.
“I don’t believe he’ll ever be caught. In some ways ’tis a lot more of a job to catch a madman than ’tis to run down just an ordinary criminal.”
The museum guard expresses doubt that the Avenger will be apprehended, noting the difficulty of capturing a cunning madman.
Highlights the theme of fear and the challenge of policing irrational crime.
“I’ve seen about enough now. If I was to stay in here much longer it ’ud give me the horrors.”
Daisy insists on leaving the Black Museum, feeling it would cause her nightmares.
Shows Daisy's discomfort and the oppressive atmosphere of the museum.