# Unreasonable Bertha explained — The Wyvern Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Wyvern Mystery by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## What happens

Charles confronts his estranged wife Bertha, who accuses him of bigamy and attempted murder. Their bitter argument escalates until Bertha suffers a fit, and Charles, tormented by guilt and despair, contemplates suicide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Charles's hidden marriage to Bertha and his subsequent bigamy are central to the conflict.

### Power and Patriarchy

Charles asserts his legal and financial control over Bertha, while she demands her 'rights' as a wife.

### Isolation and Entrapment

Both characters are trapped in a toxic marriage; Charles feels utterly miserable and contemplates suicide.

## Character check-ins

### Charles Fairfield

Confronts Bertha, his estranged wife, in a heated argument; later contemplates suicide.

### Bertha Velderkaust

Charles's blind wife; accuses him of bigamy and attempted murder, then suffers a fit.

### Mildred Tarnley

Attends to Bertha during her fit; expresses a wish that Bertha be placed in a madhouse.

## Key lines

> I’ve given you year by year fully half my income.

Charles claims he has been financially supporting Bertha for years.

_Charles defends his financial support as evidence of his good faith._

> You tried to murder me, you arch-villain.

Bertha accuses Charles of attempting to kill her.

_Bertha's accusation escalates the argument to a violent climax._

> Why should not I end it?

Charles contemplates suicide as a way out of his misery.

_Charles's despair reaches a peak as he considers ending his life._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxviii-unreasonable-bertha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters