The Story of Ivy · Chapter
Chapter VIII explained
In the aftermath of Jervis Lexton's sudden death, Ivy Lexton struggles with the implications of a postmortem examination.
What happens
In the aftermath of Jervis Lexton's sudden death, Ivy Lexton struggles with the implications of a postmortem examination. Dr. Berwick questions her about the events leading up to the death, and she reveals her ignorance of serious illness and death. Ivy's fear and self-deception become apparent as she tries to navigate the situation, while Dr. Berwick and Nurse Bradfield offer support. The chapter highlights Ivy's isolation and her reliance on others, as well as the growing suspicion surrounding Jervis's death.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
Ivy deceives herself about her own emotions and the events surrounding Jervis's death, while also attempting to deceive Dr. Berwick about her knowledge and involvement.
Gender and Power
Ivy's reliance on male figures (Dr. Berwick, Miles Rushworth, Dr. Gretorex) highlights the limited agency of women in this era, as well as her use of feminine charm to influence men.
Crime and Justice
The postmortem and Dr. Berwick's investigation into Jervis's death introduce themes of potential foul play and the search for truth, setting the stage for a possible crime.
Characters to notice
- Ivy Lexton
Ivy is the newly widowed wife, struggling with shock and fear as she faces the reality of her husband's death and the impending postmortem. She displays self-deception and a childlike naivety about death and illness.
- Dr. Berwick
Dr. Berwick is the attending physician who insists on a postmortem to determine the cause of Jervis's death. He is sympathetic yet suspicious, questioning Ivy about visitors and her relationship with Dr. Gretorex.
- Nurse Bradfield
Nurse Bradfield is the nurse who cared for Jervis. She is supportive of Ivy and unaware of any wrongdoing, but she is surprised by the decision to hold a postmortem.
- Jervis Lexton
Jervis is the deceased husband, whose sudden and mysterious death prompts the postmortem. He is mentioned as having been in Rushworth's employment and having quarreled with his lawyer.
- Roger Gretorex
Dr. Gretorex is mentioned as a potential source of help, but Ivy is evasive about his whereabouts. Dr. Berwick suspects a connection between Gretorex and Jervis's death.
- Miles Rushworth
Miles Rushworth is a friend and employer of Jervis, currently in South Africa. Ivy plans to cable him for support.
Key passages
“Ivy Lexton had always remained, until today, most comfortably ignorant of all the terrible, strange, and awful things that now and again occurred outside her own immediate little circle of people and of interests.”
Ivy had never before been exposed to the harsh realities of life beyond her own social circle.
This highlights Ivy's sheltered existence and her shock at encountering death.
“Slowly, mechanically, she repeated: 'The cause of death?' Though she uttered the four words in her usual voice, there had suddenly swept over her a sensation of intense terror.”
Ivy repeated the phrase 'cause of death' mechanically, but felt a sudden wave of intense fear.
This shows Ivy's growing dread as the implications of the postmortem sink in.
“Ivy Lexton was dowered with so great a power of self-deception that she really did believe what she had just said.”
Ivy had such a strong ability to deceive herself that she genuinely believed her own words.
This underscores the theme of self-deception central to Ivy's character.
