The Maid of Sker · Chapter
XI: A Wrecker Wrecked explained
Davy encounters Evan Thomas, who is drunk and exultant over a wreck ashore.
What happens
Davy encounters Evan Thomas, who is drunk and exultant over a wreck ashore. Evan orders Davy to help him plunder the wreck, but Davy is repulsed by Evan's greed. Davy later searches for Evan's sons and finds young Watkin distraught, believing his five brothers have been buried under the sands.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Hypocrisy
Evan Thomas's greed and drunkenness contrast with Davy's moral reluctance to participate in wrecking, highlighting hypocrisy in the community.
Family and Orphanhood
Davy cares for Bardie and Bunny as surrogate family, while Watkin fears the loss of his brothers.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Narrator and protagonist; reluctantly follows Evan's orders while caring for Bardie and Bunny.
- Evan Thomas
Drunk and greedy, he commands Davy to help him plunder a wreck, brandishing a gun.
- Bardie
A little girl Davy rescued; she is playful and affectionate, calling Davy 'Old Davy'.
- Bunny
Davy's granddaughter; she is sleepy and shy, clinging to Davy for protection.
- Moxy Thomas
Kindly cares for the children, putting them to bed after they are wet.
- Watkin Thomas
Distraught boy who believes his five brothers have been buried under the sands.
Key passages
“Wreck ashore! I smell her, Dyo. Don't tell me no lies, my boy. I smelled her all the afternoon. And high time to have one.”
Evan Thomas claims he can smell a shipwreck and is eager to plunder it.
Reveals Evan's predatory excitement about the wreck.
“Under the sands, the sands, they are; and never to kick me again no more! Of sorrow it is more than ever I can tell.”
Watkin believes his brothers have been buried alive under the sand.
Shows Watkin's grief and the danger of the sandhills.