# III explained — The Moonstone

> Chapter companion for The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

The narrator recounts the fanciful story of the Moonstone and the assault on Seringapatam. He describes meeting his cousin John Herncastle after the battle, finding him with a bloody dagger and a dying Indian who prophesies that the Moonstone will have its vengeance. Herncastle refuses to explain the incident, leading to a permanent estrangement between the cousins.

## Themes in this chapter

### Imperialism and Colonialism

The chapter depicts the British conquest of Seringapatam and the plunder of the palace treasury, highlighting the violence and exploitation inherent in colonial expansion.

### The Curse and Fate

The dying Indian's prophecy that 'The Moonstone will have its vengeance yet on you and yours' introduces the theme of a curse tied to the diamond, suggesting inescapable fate.

### Obsession and Greed

Herncastle's boastful declaration that the Diamond would be on his finger and his violent acquisition of the Moonstone illustrate the destructive power of greed and obsession.

## Character check-ins

### John Herncastle

The narrator's cousin, who is found with a bloody dagger and the Moonstone after the assault on Seringapatam, and who refuses to explain the death of the Indian.

### General Baird

The general who led the assault on Seringapatam and later announced that any thief detected would be hung.

### The Indians

Three Indian officers of the palace are found dead or dying in the treasury; one prophesies vengeance on Herncastle.

## Key lines

> The Moonstone will have its vengeance yet on you and yours!

The diamond will eventually bring retribution upon you and your family.

_This curse is a key plot point, foreshadowing future misfortunes for Herncastle and his relatives._

> I turned my back on him; and we have not spoken since.

I walked away from him, and we have never spoken again.

_This marks the permanent estrangement between the narrator and his cousin John Herncastle._

## Links

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