# II: A Dean, and a Chapter Also explained — The Mystery of Edwin Drood

> Chapter companion for The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

The chapter opens with a conversation between the Dean and Mr. Crisparkle, the Minor Canon, about John Jasper's health and his expected nephew, Edwin Drood. The Dean expresses a hope that Jasper's affections for his nephew are not too strong, advising that affections should be guided. Mr. Crisparkle then visits Jasper at the gatehouse, finding him recovered from a brief illness. Jasper's room is described as somber, with a portrait of a schoolgirl (Rosa Bud) hanging over the chimneypiece. Edwin Drood arrives, and the two share a warm, affectionate reunion. They dine together, discussing Rosa Bud, Edwin's fiancée, and Edwin complains about the arranged engagement, feeling constrained by the wishes of their deceased fathers. Jasper, who has been secretly taking opium, suffers a momentary fit, which he attributes to the effects of the medicine. He recovers, and the conversation turns to Jasper's quiet life, with Edwin noting that Jasper has the freedom to choose his own path, unlike Edwin himself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Possession

Jasper's intense, watchful affection for Edwin borders on obsession, and his hidden opium use suggests a deeper, darker fixation.

### Fate and Free Will

Edwin laments the lack of choice in his engagement to Rosa, feeling bound by the wishes of their deceased fathers, while Jasper appears to have more freedom.

### Duality and Deception

Jasper presents a genial, affectionate exterior while secretly struggling with opium's effects, hinting at a hidden, darker side.

## Character check-ins

### John Jasper

Shows intense, watchful affection for Edwin; secretly takes opium for pain; his room is somber with a portrait of Rosa.

### Edwin Drood

Arrives at Jasper's gatehouse; lively and affectionate; complains about his arranged engagement to Rosa.

### Septimus Crisparkle

Visits Jasper on behalf of the Dean; described as a good-natured, boy-like Minor Canon.

### Rosa Bud

Mentioned as Edwin's fiancée; her portrait hangs in Jasper's room; Edwin discusses her with Jasper.

### The Dean

Converses with Crisparkle about Jasper; advises that affections should be guided, not master us.

### Mr. Tope

The Verger; reports Jasper's illness to the Dean; his wife, Mrs. Tope, appears in the chapter.

## Key lines

> My dear Jack, I am as dry as a bone. Don’t moddley-coddley, there’s a good fellow.

Edwin tells Jasper not to fuss over him, insisting he is perfectly dry.

_Shows Edwin's casual, affectionate manner with his uncle._

> I have been taking opium for a pain—an agony—that sometimes overcomes me.

Jasper admits to Edwin that he uses opium to relieve severe pain.

_Reveals Jasper's secret dependency and hints at his inner turmoil._

> If I could choose, I would choose Pussy from all the pretty girls in the world.

Edwin says that if he had the freedom to choose, he would still pick Rosa as his bride.

_Despite his complaints, Edwin affirms his affection for Rosa._

## Links

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