The Rasp · Chapter
Tolling the Bell explained
On a sweltering Thursday night, Spencer Hastings, editor of The Owl, is working late when his secretary Margaret Warren bursts in with breaking news: Cabinet Minister John Hoode has been murdered at his country home.
What happens
On a sweltering Thursday night, Spencer Hastings, editor of The Owl, is working late when his secretary Margaret Warren bursts in with breaking news: Cabinet Minister John Hoode has been murdered at his country home. Hastings dictates a special edition, and Margaret suggests recruiting Anthony Gethryn as a special correspondent to cover the investigation. Hastings reluctantly calls Gethryn, who agrees to help after Margaret persuades him.
Themes in this chapter
The Role of the Press
The chapter highlights how The Owl uses the murder to boost its reputation and sales, with Hastings dictating sensational bulletins and Margaret suggesting a special correspondent to aid the investigation.
Justice and Injustice
The public demand for swift justice is emphasized in Hastings's editorial, calling for the murderer to be found and punished with the utmost rigour of the law.
Characters to notice
- Spencer Hastings
Editor of The Owl; receives news of Hoode's murder and dictates the special edition.
- Miss Margaret Warren
Hastings's efficient secretary; brings the news of the murder and suggests recruiting Anthony Gethryn.
- Anthony Gethryn
Agrees to help The Owl after being persuaded by Margaret Warren.
- John Hoode
Cabinet Minister found murdered at his country residence, Abbotshall.
- Miss Laura Hoode
Sister of the deceased; mentioned as prostrated by the shock.
- Mrs. Roland Mainwaring
Guest at Abbotshall at the time of the murder.
- Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Guest and close friend of John Hoode; mentioned in the dictated article.
Key passages
“Mr. Gethryn, this is Margaret Warren speaking. What Mr. Hastings wished to do was to ask whether you could come down here—to the office—at once. Oh, I know it sounds mad, but we've received some amazing news, and Mr. Hastings wishes to consult you. I can't tell you any more over the phone, but Mr. Hastings is sure that you'll be willing to help. Please come; it might mean everything to the paper.”
Margaret Warren takes the phone from Hastings and directly asks Anthony Gethryn to come to the office immediately, hinting at the importance of the news for the paper.
Margaret's persuasive plea convinces Gethryn to assist, despite his initial reluctance.
“All England, all the Empire, the whole world will join in offering their heartfelt sympathy to Miss Laura Hoode, who, we understand, is prostrated by the shock”
Hastings dictates that the entire nation and empire will sympathize with Laura Hoode, assuming she is devastated by the murder.
This reflects the journalistic tendency to assume emotional responses for dramatic effect.