# III explained — The Nature of a Crime

> Chapter companion for The Nature of a Crime by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

The narrator writes a letter to his beloved, explaining that he is tired of life and desires her so intensely that he can no longer continue without her. He reveals his embezzlement and forgery, but insists it was for amusement, not money. He offers her the power to decide his fate: if she wishes him to live, he will, but he believes she will not ask him to compromise his ideal of her. He is ready to die for this ideal, and asks her to bear the sacrifice.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Obsession

The narrator's intense desire for his beloved drives him to the brink of death, framing love as an all-consuming force.

### Deception and Trust

The narrator's embezzlement and forgery, and his amusement at Burden's trust, highlight the theme of betrayal.

### Suicide and Death

The narrator contemplates death as an escape from his unfulfilled desire, and offers his beloved the power to decide his fate.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

Writes a letter to his beloved, confessing his exhaustion and his willingness to die for his ideal of her.

### Edward Burden

Mentioned as the target of the narrator's deception, who trusts him completely.

### Miss Averies

Referred to as Edward Burden's little fiancée, who almost tempts the narrator to restore the stolen funds.

## Key lines

> I wrote last night that you have something in your power. If you wished it you could make me live on.

I told you yesterday that you hold my fate in your hands; your wish alone can keep me alive.

_The narrator reiterates his dependence on his beloved's decision._

> I have forged whole builder's estimates for repairs that were never executed: I have invented whole hosts of defaulting tenants.

I fabricated construction invoices for work never done and created imaginary tenants who failed to pay rent.

_The narrator confesses to elaborate fraud._

> I am at the end of my tether. I cannot live without you longer.

I have reached my limit; I cannot endure life without you any longer.

_The narrator expresses his desperation._

> I am ready to give my life for this Ideal: nay more, I am ready to sacrifice you to it, since I know that life for you will remain a very bitter thing.

I am willing to die for this ideal, and even to sacrifice you, knowing that your life will be painful without me.

_The narrator's devotion to his ideal surpasses his love for her._

## Links

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