# Conclusion explained — Uncle Silas

> Chapter companion for Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## What happens

Maud, now Lady Ilbury, reflects on the aftermath of the horrors at Bartram-Haugh. She recounts the inquest on Uncle Silas, the arrest of Dickon Hawkes for an old crime, and the discovery of Madame de la Rougierre's body. She describes her happy marriage to Lord Ilbury, her son, and the fates of other characters: Milly marries a clergyman, Meg Hawkes marries Tom Brice and emigrates to Australia, and Doctor Bryerly manages the Derbyshire estates. Maud finds peace and gratitude, contemplating life, love, and spiritual reunion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Morality

Maud questions Uncle Silas's religious sincerity and finds comfort in divine providence and eternal reunion.

### Gothic Atmosphere and Fear

The lingering horror of Bartram-Haugh, the secret grave, and the nightmare of Maud's youth are resolved but still haunt her.

### Wealth and Inheritance

Maud's inheritance and management of the Derbyshire estates by Doctor Bryerly conclude the financial plot.

## Character check-ins

### Maud Ruthyn

Now Lady Ilbury, happily married and a mother, she reflects on her past terrors and present gratitude.

### Uncle Silas

Found dead from an accidental overdose of laudanum; his religious sincerity is questioned.

### Dudley Ruthyn

Disappeared; possibly seen in Australia under the alias Colbroke, but not confirmed.

### Lady Knollys

Maud's beloved cousin Monica, still living and youthful in spirit, who took Maud to the Continent.

### Doctor Bryerly

Investigates the window mechanism at Bartram, solves Charke's murder, and manages Maud's Derbyshire estates.

### Milly Ruthyn

Now happily married to the clergyman Sprigge Biddlepen.

## Key lines

> when the heart is no longer fusible or malleable, and must retain the form in which it has cooled down.

When the heart becomes fixed and unchangeable, it keeps the shape it has hardened into.

_Maud reflects on the spiritual rigidity of Uncle Silas in his old age._

> He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; he which is filthy, let him be filthy still.

Let those who are wicked remain wicked, and those who are corrupt remain corrupt.

_Biblical allusion (Revelation 22:11) used to describe the final state of Uncle Silas's character._

> This world is a parable—the habitation of symbols—the phantoms of spiritual things immortal shown in material shape.

The world is a story told in symbols, where immortal spiritual truths are reflected in physical forms.

_Maud's concluding spiritual reflection on the nature of reality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_silas_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters