The Way We Live Now · Chapter
John Crumb Falls Into Trouble explained
John Crumb, having learned that Ruby Ruggles left with Sir Felix Carbury, follows them and brutally beats Sir Felix in a dark passage.
What happens
John Crumb, having learned that Ruby Ruggles left with Sir Felix Carbury, follows them and brutally beats Sir Felix in a dark passage. Ruby's screams bring the police, who arrest John Crumb while Ruby defends Sir Felix. Mrs. Hurtle and Mrs. Pipkin later learn of the incident, with Mrs. Hurtle expressing a wicked wish that Sir Felix might be dead.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Hypocrisy
Ruby's deception of John Crumb and her preference for the dissolute Sir Felix over the honest John Crumb.
Gender and Power
Ruby's agency in choosing her lover, but also her vulnerability and the physical violence between men over her.
Love vs. Practicality
John Crumb's steadfast, practical love for Ruby contrasted with Ruby's romantic but destructive attachment to Sir Felix.
Characters to notice
- Ruby Ruggles
Leaves her aunt's house with Sir Felix, later denounces John Crumb after the beating.
- John Crumb
Follows Ruby and Sir Felix, beats Sir Felix severely, and is arrested by police.
- Sir Felix Carbury
Beaten by John Crumb, left bloodied and moaning, taken to hospital.
- Mrs. Hurtle
Comforts Mrs. Pipkin, tells John Crumb of Ruby's departure, and later expresses a wish that Sir Felix might be dead.
- Mrs. Pipkin
Distressed by Ruby's departure, receives a cloak from John Crumb, and later learns of the fight.
Key passages
“It was impossible to conceal the truth from John Crumb. Mrs. Hurtle saw the poor man and told the story in Mrs. Pipkin's presence.”
Mrs. Hurtle and Mrs. Pipkin inform John Crumb that Ruby has left with Sir Felix.
John Crumb learns of Ruby's departure.
“John Crumb raised one of his fists, brought it down heavily on the palm of his other hand, and then again sat silent for awhile.”
John Crumb clenches his fist in frustration but remains silent.
John Crumb's restrained anger.
“John Crumb raised him, and catching him round the neck with his left arm—getting his head into chancery as we used to say when we fought at school—struck the poor wretch some half-dozen times violently in the face, not knowing or caring exactly where he hit him, but at every blow obliterating a feature.”
John Crumb grabs Sir Felix and punches him repeatedly in the face, disfiguring him.
John Crumb beats Sir Felix severely.
“Ruby in the complaints which she made to the policemen said not a word against Sir Felix, but was as bitter as she knew how to be in her denunciations of John Crumb.”
Ruby blames John Crumb for the attack and defends Sir Felix to the police.
Ruby sides with Sir Felix against John Crumb.
“Mrs. Hurtle in a whisper to Mrs. Pipkin expressed a wicked wish that it might be so.”
Mrs. Hurtle whispers to Mrs. Pipkin that she hopes Sir Felix is dead.
Mrs. Hurtle's dark wish.