The Lost Stradivarius · Chapter
XIII explained
Sophia Maltravers spends nearly a week at the Villa de Angelis with her brother John, who is gravely ill.
What happens
Sophia Maltravers spends nearly a week at the Villa de Angelis with her brother John, who is gravely ill. He avoids discussing his wife's death and his past conduct, instead reminiscing about their childhood. Sophia discovers unopened letters from Constance, and explores the villa's Roman-inspired decor and eerie caves, which unsettle her. John reveals his wish to show her something in Naples before returning to England.
Themes in this chapter
Paganism vs Christianity
Sophia is disturbed by the juxtaposition of pagan art and Christian symbols, feeling that Christianity still battles a living Paganism.
Family Secrets and Legacy
The unopened letters from Constance reveal hidden neglect and family tragedy.
Decline and Corruption
John's physical decline and the villa's oppressive, decadent atmosphere reflect moral and physical decay.
Characters to notice
- Sophia Maltravers
Narrator; cares for her brother John, discovers unopened letters from Constance, and explores the villa's unsettling surroundings.
- John Maltravers
Gravely ill, weak, and nostalgic; avoids discussing the past, plans to show Sophia something in Naples.
- Raffaelle Carotenuto
Devoted Italian boy who sings and reads to John, showing unwavering attachment.
- Constance Temple
Deceased wife; her unopened letters to John are discovered by Sophia, highlighting neglect.
Key passages
“I had spent near a week at the Villa de Angelis . John’s manner to me was most tender and affectionate; but he showed no wish to refer to the tragedy of his wife’s death and the sad events which had preceded it, or to attempt to explain in any way his own conduct in the past.”
I stayed at the Villa de Angelis for almost a week. John was kind and loving, but he avoided discussing his wife's death or his past actions.
Highlights John's avoidance of painful topics.
“It was here, Sophy, that the great epicure Pollio built himself a famous house, and called it by two Greek words meaning a ‘truce to care,’ from which our name of Posilipo is derived. It was his sans-souci , and here he cast aside his vexations; but they were lighter than mine. Posilipo has brought no cessation of care to me.”
John explains the origin of Posilipo's name from Pollio's 'truce to care,' but notes that his own cares are far heavier.
John's reflection on his inability to find peace.
“The shock of being brought suddenly face to face with a handwriting that evoked memories at once so dear and sad was in itself a sharp one; but its bitterness was immeasurably increased by the discovery that not one of these envelopes had ever been opened.”
Finding Constance's letters was shocking, but even more bitter was realizing John never opened them.
Reveals John's neglect of Constance.