# XVIII explained — The Lodger

> Chapter companion for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

## What happens

Mrs. Bunting attends the inquest on one of The Avenger's victims, recalling a previous inquest from her past. She deceives her husband about her destination, driven by a secret, morbid curiosity to hear descriptions of the murderer. At the inquest, she observes the crowd of journalists and officials, feeling the irony of her presence among them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Complicity and Moral Ambiguity

Mrs. Bunting's secret attendance at the inquest, driven by suspicion of the lodger, places her in a morally ambiguous position as she deceives her husband and seeks information about the murderer.

### Fear and Suspicion

The chapter is steeped in Mrs. Bunting's fear and suspicion regarding the lodger, as she attends the inquest to hear descriptions of The Avenger, hoping to confirm her dread.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Bunting

Attends the inquest, recalling a past inquest from her time as Ellen Green; lies to her husband about going to the doctor.

### Mr. Bunting

Concerned about his wife's pallor and offers to accompany her; forgets his promise about the lodger.

### The Avenger

The unseen subject of the inquest; his identity and whereabouts remain mysterious, drawing journalists and officials together.

## Key lines

> Any ordeal is far less terrifying, far easier to meet with courage, when it is repeated, than is even a milder experience which is entirely novel.

Familiar experiences are less frightening than new ones, even if the new ones are less severe.

_Reflects Mrs. Bunting's comparative calm due to having attended an inquest before._

> She was filled with a painful, secret, and, yes, eager curiosity to hear how those who were so positive about the matter would describe the appearance of The Avenger.

She felt a painful, secret, and eager curiosity to hear eyewitness descriptions of The Avenger.

_Highlights Mrs. Bunting's conflicted motives for attending the inquest._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters