# Eighth Narrative explained — The Moonstone

> Chapter companion for The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Gabriel Betteredge closes the story by announcing the marriage of Rachel Verinder and Franklin Blake, which took place on October 9, 1849. He humorously recounts how he used a passage from Robinson Crusoe to predict the couple's future child, and later confirms the prediction when Franklin Blake informs him of the impending birth. Betteredge ends with a solemn tribute to the truth of Robinson Crusoe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Hierarchy

Betteredge's role as a loyal servant and his intimate involvement in the family's milestones highlight the class dynamics of the Victorian household.

### Religion and Morality

Betteredge's reverence for Robinson Crusoe as a moral and prophetic text underscores the Victorian blend of religious sentiment and literary devotion.

## Character check-ins

### Gabriel Betteredge

Narrator of the eighth narrative; closes the story and reflects on the marriage of Rachel and Franklin.

### Rachel Verinder

Married Franklin Blake on October 9, 1849; the wedding is the central event of this chapter.

### Franklin Blake

Married Rachel Verinder; later informs Betteredge of the impending birth of a child.

## Key lines

> I am the person (as you remember no doubt) who led the way in these pages, and opened the story. I am also the person who is left behind, as it were, to close the story up.

Betteredge reminds the reader that he began the narrative and now returns to conclude it.

_Betteredge frames his role as both the opener and closer of the story._

> This interesting event took place at our house in Yorkshire, on Tuesday, October ninth, eighteen hundred and forty-nine.

The wedding of Rachel and Franklin occurred at the Verinder estate in Yorkshire on October 9, 1849.

_Betteredge provides the precise date and location of the marriage._

> I read those miraculous words with an emphasis which did them justice, and then I looked him severely in the face. 'Now , sir, do you believe in Robinson Crusoe ?' I asked, with a solemnity, suitable to the occasion.

Betteredge dramatically reads the passage from Robinson Crusoe and asks Franklin if he now believes in the book's prophetic power.

_Betteredge uses the novel as a tool to validate his own predictions about the family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/eighth-narrative
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moonstone_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters