# XXIII: The Dawn Again explained — The Mystery of Edwin Drood > Chapter companion for The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens. ## What happens Six months after Edwin Drood's disappearance, Mr. Crisparkle and John Jasper continue their daily meetings without ever discussing the case. Jasper remains obsessed with pursuing Neville Landless, while Crisparkle quietly advocates for Neville. Jasper takes a leave of absence and travels to London, where he lodges at a hybrid hotel. There, he encounters the opium woman, who recognizes him and later follows him to Cloisterham. Mr. Datchery, now lodging with Mrs. Tope, observes the woman's intense interest in Jasper, and during a cathedral service, she shakes her fist at him from behind a pillar. Datchery adds another chalk mark to his tally, indicating his ongoing investigation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Obsession and Possession Jasper's relentless fixation on revenge and his solitary, concentrated purpose dominate the chapter, while Datchery's chalk marks suggest his own obsessive investigation. ### Mystery and the Unknown The unresolved fate of Edwin Drood, the opium woman's secret knowledge, and Datchery's cryptic tally all contribute to the pervasive air of mystery. ### Duality and Deception Jasper's public role as choirmaster contrasts with his private obsession; Datchery's assumed identity and the opium woman's hidden animosity highlight deceptive appearances. ## Character check-ins ### John Jasper Continues his obsessive pursuit of Neville Landless; travels to London and stays at a hybrid hotel; later leads the choir in Cloisterham, unaware of the opium woman's presence. ### Septimus Crisparkle Meets Jasper daily but never discusses Edwin Drood; remains Neville's advocate and protector, though he is perplexed by Jasper's reticence. ### Mr. Datchery Lodges with Mrs. Tope; observes the opium woman's interest in Jasper and adds a chalk mark to his tally; also interacts with Deputy, who calls him 'Dick'. ### Deputy Stones headstones in the churchyard; reveals his nickname 'Winks' and his dislike for Jasper; later peeps through the choir bars during the service. ### Mr. Tope Mentioned as the cathedral verger who is eluded by Deputy; his wife, Mrs. Tope, provides breakfast for Datchery. ### The Lascar Mentioned as part of the opium woman's narrative, though not directly present in this chapter. ## Key lines > Although Mr. Crisparkle and John Jasper met daily under the Cathedral roof, nothing at any time passed between them having reference to Edwin Drood after the time, more than half a year gone by, when Jasper mutely showed the Minor Canon the conclusion and the resolution entered in his Diary. Despite meeting every day, Crisparkle and Jasper never spoke about Edwin Drood since Jasper had shown Crisparkle his diary entry over six months ago. _Highlights the unspoken tension between the two men._ > It is not likely that they ever met, though so often, without a sensation on the part of each that the other was a perplexing secret to him. Each meeting likely left both men feeling that the other was an enigma. _Emphasizes the mutual suspicion and secrecy._ > Impassive, moody, solitary, resolute, so concentrated on one idea, and on its attendant fixed purpose, that he would share it with no fellow-creature, he lived apart from human life. Jasper was emotionally detached and single-minded, keeping his purpose to himself and isolating himself from others. _Describes Jasper's obsessive nature._ > Drowsy Cloisterham, whenever it awoke to a passing reconsideration of a story above six months old and dismissed by the bench of magistrates, was pretty equally divided in opinion whether John Jasper's beloved nephew had been killed by his treacherously passionate rival, or in an open struggle; or had, for his own purposes, spirited himself away. The town of Cloisterham, when it occasionally thought about the case, was split between theories that Edwin was murdered by Neville, killed in a fight, or disappeared voluntarily. _Shows public speculation about Edwin's fate._ > It is hotel, boardinghouse, or lodging-house, at its visitor's option. It announces itself, in the new Railway Advertisers, as a novel enterprise, timidly beginning to spring up. The establishment was a new type of accommodation, advertised in railway publications, offering flexible lodging options. _Reflects Victorian-era changes in travel and lodging._ > Mr. Datchery, with a sudden change of countenance, gives her a sudden look. 'It's opium, deary. Neither more nor less.' Datchery is startled when the woman reveals she sells opium, and she defends it as a medicine. _Introduces the opium woman's trade and Datchery's reaction._ > And the young gentleman's name,' she adds, 'was Edwin.' Mr. Datchery drops some money, stoops to pick it up, and reddens with the exertion as he asks: 'How do you know the young gentleman's name?' The opium woman mentions that the young man's name was Edwin, causing Datchery to drop his money and ask how she knows. _Connects the opium woman to Edwin Drood's disappearance._ > As mariners on a dangerous voyage, approaching an iron-bound coast, may look along the beams of the warning light to the haven lying beyond it that may never be reached, so Mr. Datchery's wistful gaze is directed to this beacon, and beyond. Datchery looks at Jasper's lamp as a sailor might look at a lighthouse, hoping for a safe haven that may never come. _Symbolic of Datchery's uncertain quest._ > The Imp finds this a relishing and piquing pursuit; firstly, because their resting-place is announced to be sacred; and secondly, because the tall headstones are sufficiently like themselves, on their beat in the dark, to justify the delicious fancy that they are hurt when hit. Deputy enjoys stoning headstones because it's forbidden and because he imagines the stones feel pain, just as he does when hit. _Reveals Deputy's mischievous character._ > I never means to plead to no name, mind yer. When they says to me in the Lockup, a-going to put me down in the book, 'What's your name?' I says to them, 'Find out.' Deputy refuses to give his real name, telling authorities to 'find out' instead. _Shows Deputy's defiance and elusive identity._ > She grins when he is most musically fervid, and—yes, Mr. Datchery sees her do it!—shakes her fist at him behind the pillar's friendly shelter. The opium woman, hidden behind a pillar, grins and shakes her fist at Jasper while he sings in the choir, and Datchery witnesses it. _Reveals the woman's hostility toward Jasper._ > As ugly and withered as one of the fantastic carvings on the under brackets of the stall seats, as malignant as the Evil One, as hard as the big brass eagle holding the sacred books upon his wings (and, according to the sculptor's representation of his ferocious attributes, not at all converted by them), she hugs herself in her lean arms, and then shakes both fists at the leader of the Choir. The opium woman is described as grotesque and evil-looking, shaking both fists at Jasper with intense malice. _Emphasizes her malevolent appearance and actions._ > Before sitting down to it, he opens his corner-cupboard door; takes his bit of chalk from its shelf; adds one thick line to the score, extending from the top of the cupboard door to the bottom; and then falls to with an appetite. Before breakfast, Datchery adds another chalk mark to his tally on the cupboard door, then eats heartily. _Suggests Datchery is keeping a record of his investigation._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xxiii-the-dawn-again - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters