World’s End · Chapter
II explained
Old Sibbold, a miserly farmer, tyrannizes his sons Arthur and James on his barren estate, Wick.
What happens
Old Sibbold, a miserly farmer, tyrannizes his sons Arthur and James on his barren estate, Wick. He claims ownership of the Lea marsh and persecutes the basket-makers who have settled there, refusing a quit-rent and burning a hut. The squatters retaliate with thefts, escalating into a feud. Arthur sides with the squatters, learns their ways, and is struck by his father. The chapter culminates in Sibbold shooting at old Will Baskette in the cellar, with James covering up the crime.
Themes in this chapter
Inheritance and Entitlement
Old Sibbold's obsession with his ancestral deeds and the entailment of the land drives his conflict with his sons and the squatters.
Deception and Corruption
James and old Sibbold conspire to cover up the shooting, and the constables are bribed with brandy and tobacco.
Family and Dysfunction
The bitter relationship between old Sibbold and his sons, especially Arthur, leads to violence and estrangement.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Sibbold Waldron
Eldest son of old Sibbold, chafes under his father's miserly treatment, sides with the squatters, and learns basket-making and gypsy traditions.
- James Sibbold
Second son, gross and patient, hopes to inherit by ingratiating himself with his father; helps cover up the shooting.
- Arthur Sibbold Waldron
Old Sibbold, the miserly owner of Wick, detested by the village and his sons, claims the Lea and persecutes the squatters.
- Will Baskette
Chief of the Swamp basket-makers, offers a quit-rent, is shot by old Sibbold while stealing cider.
Key passages
“Old Sibbold, the owner and occupier, was detested by the entire village, and by no one more than his two sons.”
Old Sibbold was universally hated, especially by his own sons.
Establishes the family dysfunction and the miser's character.
“He claimed a rent. The cotters refused to pay. Their chieftain, old Will Baskette, wanted to compromise matters, and offered a small quit-rent.”
Sibbold demanded rent, but the squatters refused; their leader proposed a quit-rent instead.
Highlights the legal conflict over land rights.
“A burning brand from the cottage hearth was applied by old Sibbold himself to the reed thatch, and in a moment up shot a fierce blaze which left nothing but ashes, and sod walls two feet high.”
Sibbold set fire to a squatter's hut, reducing it to ashes.
Shows the escalation of the feud and Sibbold's cruelty.
“The flint struck the steel with a sharp snick—a spark flew out—an explosion—the window-glass smashed—a cloud of smoke—one groan, and all was still.”
Sibbold fired his gun through the cellar window, hitting Will Baskette.
Climactic moment of the chapter, depicting the shooting.