# Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story explained — The Lost Stradivarius

> Chapter companion for The Lost Stradivarius by John Meade Falkner.

## What happens

Sophia Maltravers recounts her family's history, including her brother John's obsession with a violin and his subsequent marriage to Constance Temple, which leads to tragedy and John's abandonment of his family.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Possession

John's obsessive attachment to the violin and its influence over his life and decisions.

### Supernatural and the Occult

The mysterious noises from the wicker chair and the apparition seen by John suggest a supernatural presence.

## Character check-ins

### Sophia Maltravers

Narrator of the chapter, providing insight into her brother's life and the family's troubled legacy.

### John Maltravers

Central figure in Sophia's story; his obsession with the violin and his marriage to Constance are key events.

### Constance Temple

John's wife, whose marriage and subsequent death are recounted by Sophia.

### Mr. Gaskell

Friend of John, who is involved in the events surrounding the violin and the supernatural occurrences.

## Key lines

> My brother John was a man of strong passions, and his love for that violin was like a fever that consumed him.

John's intense infatuation with the violin was all-consuming, akin to a disease.

_Highlights John's obsessive nature._

> The chair would creak and groan as if someone were sitting in it, though no one was there.

The chair made noises as if occupied by an invisible presence.

_Illustrates the supernatural occurrences._

> Constance was a gentle soul, but John's obsession drove a wedge between them.

Constance's gentle nature was overshadowed by John's fixation, causing marital strife.

_Shows the impact of John's obsession on his marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/miss-sophia-maltravers-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters