The Moonstone

“Starting from these plain facts, the idea is that we should all write the story of the Moonstone in turn—as far as our own personal experience extends, and no farther.”

Betteredge explains why he is retrospectively writing down a narrative of the events that occurred in June 1848 at the Verinder house in Yorkshire. The complex narrative structure of the novel results from multiple individuals’ being asked to describe the events they directly witnessed in the advent and aftermath of the theft; this structure prioritizes objective observations, and yet The Unreliability of Witnessing and Memory still plays a significant role in the plot.

“Persons and Things do turn up so vexatiously in this life, and will in a manner insist on being noticed.”

Betteredge makes this apology since he keeps getting distracted with digressions while trying to provide a purely factual and chronological account of events. The comment is ironic because the narrative ends up revealing that it is virtually impossible to distinguish what is significant and what is insignificant— many seemingly trivial details end up being essential to understanding the theft and how it happened.

“If he was right, here was our quiet English house suddenly invaded by a devilish Indian Diamond.”

Betteredge reflects on this misgiving when Franklin Blake first explains to him that he, Franklin, has been charged with presenting the Moonstone to Rachel on her birthday. Both Franklin and Betteredge are nervous about the history and curses associated with the diamond, which introduces a sense of foreboding into the plot. Betteredge’s worry highlights the critique of imperialism in the novel, since he highlights the diamond’s Indian origins and personifies it as a dangerous force imperiling a “quiet English house.”

“Gentlefolks in general have a very awkward rock ahead in life—the rock ahead of their own idleness.”

Betteredge makes this sarcastic comment while describing why Franklin and Rachel begin an unnecessary project of painting a mural on the inside of her sitting-room door frame. While he clearly loves and respects the family he works for, Betteredge’s position as a servant has also given him the opportunity to observe the idleness and selfishness of the upper classes. This quotation shows the significance of Wilkie Collins including narratives from individuals from the working-classes within the novel, embedding aspects of social critique.

“Mr. Candy thereupon told him that his nerves were all out of order, and that he ought to go through a course of medicine immediately.”

Betteredge describes how Franklin Blake and Mr. Candy (the local doctor) get into a disagreement during the birthday dinner, a few hours before the diamond disappears. Mr. Candy thinks that Franklin should consider taking opium or some other type of medicine to treat his insomnia, but Franklin does not think opium is effective. This seemingly insignificant interaction sets the stage for the entire mystery, since Candy ends up secretly dosing Franklin with opium to prove his point.

“The loss of her jewel seems almost to have turned her brain. Who would have thought that horrible Diamond could have laid such a hold on her in so short a time?”

Betteredge makes this comment when observing Rachel’s strange behavior, which begins as soon as the diamond’s absence is noticed. Rachel’s strange reaction to the theft is part of what contributes to the mystery, since it is a very long time before anyone realizes that Rachel has seen Franklin take the diamond. This quotation reveals how significant information about the theft is not initially understood, even when characters do notice it.

“One of these days (please God) I shall retire from catching thieves, and try my hand at growing roses.”

Sergeant Cuff says this to Betteredge when he first arrives at the Verinder house to investigate the theft. While Cuff is a shrewd and skilled detective, he is also a somewhat comical character who is obsessed with gardening and dreams of a quiet life growing roses. This quotation shows how Collins balances features associated with the detective novel, such as suspense and tension, with an often comical and playful tone.

“All the signs visible—signs which told that the paint had been smeared by some loose article of somebody’s dress touching it going by.”

Sergeant Cuff sums up his understanding of the theft, and what clues would be most helpful in identifying the thief. Cuff is able to deduce that the person who took the diamond would have brushed up against wet paint and therefore would have a stain on the clothing they were wearing. This clue becomes extremely important to the eventual discovery that Franklin took the diamond, but also shines a light on why the mystery is so hard to solve, as someone has deliberately concealed this incriminating evidence.

“It was her last farewell word to the old man who had done his best—thank God, always done his best—to befriend her.”

Gabriel Betteredge makes this reflection after he reads the final note from Rosanna Spearman, and he is overcome by grief when he thinks of her dying by suicide. Betteredge is empathetic and nonjudgmental, even though Rosanna behaves in a number of controversial ways, including stealing, tampering with an investigation, and falling in love with a man from a higher social position. Betteredge knows that other people have been harsher and more unsympathetic to Rosanna, but his understanding of her better and more vulnerable qualities speaks to the theme of Public Reputation Versus Inner Nature.

“Your knowledge of her character dates from a day or two since. My knowledge of her character dates from the beginning of her life.”

Lady Verinder writes these words to Sergeant Cuff when she definitively dismisses his suggestion that Rachel could have “stolen” her own diamond. When Rachel denies this, Lady Verinder fully believes her daughter and tells Cuff that she knows Rachel far better than he does. This quotation shows how Rachel’s obfuscations contribute significantly to making the investigation far more complex and drawn-out.

“Now, I’ll tell you, at parting, of three things which will happen in the future, and which, I believe will force themselves on your attention, whether you like it or not.”

Sergeant Cuff says this to Betteredge when the initial investigation is concluded, and Cuff is dismissed. Cuff makes three predictions, which all come true. The remark builds suspense and also shows how clever and shrewd Cuff is. The quotation also develops the theme of The Tensions Between Empirical Evidence and Faith, because even once the case is understood, it can’t be solved until time passes and events unfold.

“I had a plan for our going to London together like sisters, and living by our needles. That man came here, and spoilt it all.”

Lucy Yolland speaks to Betteredge, describing her friendship with Rosanna and her anger with Franklin Blake. Lucy blames Franklin for Rosanna’s unhappiness and death by suicide, even though Franklin never had any idea that Rosanna had feelings for him. The quotation shows that while Rosanna was barely noticed by upper-class characters like Rachel and Franklin, she was loved and cherished by characters like Lucy. It also shows that, despite her difficult past, Rosanna dreamed of a better future for herself.

“The devil’s dance of the Indian Diamond has threaded its way to London; and to London you must go after it, leaving me at the country house.”

Betteredge includes this remark at the end of his narrative, when he explains why the next section is going to be narrated by a different character. Betteredge sets the stage for the next phase of the plot, building suspense by introducing a shift to a new urban setting. This quotation is an example of how direct address to the reader is incorporated throughout the novel, ostensibly because characters are self-consciously creating written accounts that they know will be read by a future audience curious about the fate of the diamond.

“My nature is weak. It cost me a hard struggle, before Christian humility conquered sinful pride, and self-denial accepted the cheque.”

Miss Clack includes this comment at the start of her narrative, explaining that Franklin Blake paid her for her narrative about the events after the theft of the diamond. The quotation is an example of Miss Clack’s hypocrisy and how she misuses ostensibly Christian morality. Miss Clack is very poor and in need of the money from Franklin, but she pretends that it is hard for her to take the money. This quotation is an early clue for readers to be suspicious of the reliability of Miss Clack’s narrative, and of characters who make an overt display of their religious beliefs, speaking to the theme of Public Reputation Versus Inner Nature.

“I don’t ask for your love—I will be content with your affection and regard.”

Godfrey Ablewhite says this to Rachel when he proposes marriage to her. Rachel objects that she is in love with someone else, but Godfrey assures her that he is willing to marry her anyway. Godfrey’s assurance that he doesn’t mind if Rachel doesn’t love him foreshadows that he is primarily wooing her because he wants access to her wealth.

“I had penetrated the secret which the quicksand had kept from every other living creature. And, on the unanswerable evidence of the paint-stain, I had discovered Myself as the Thief.”

Franklin Blake says this at a climactic moment when he finally unearths the stained nightgown and confirms the identity of the thief. The evidence indicates that Franklin himself took the diamond, even though he has no memory of doing so. This quotation highlights the complex plot structure and suspense that Collins utilizes in the novel: Rather than the mystery being solved when the thief’s identity is discovered, the story only becomes more complicated due to The Unreliability of Witnessing and Memory.

“Think of your cold behavior to me, sir, and you will hardly wonder at my unwillingness to destroy the only claim on your confidence and your gratitude which it was my fortune to possess.”

Rosanna here writes a letter to Franklin before dying by suicide, which he reads much later. In the letter, Rosanna explains why she did not destroy the stained nightgown—this information is significant because the nightgown winds up being key to confirming that Franklin was the one who took the diamond.

“I don’t believe a word you have said. You stole it—I saw you!”

Rachel speaks these words angrily to Franklin after he forces her to meet with him, and questions her about what happened on the night that the diamond disappeared. Rachel reveals the crucial information she has withheld throughout the investigation, which also explains why Rachel was so adamant about distancing herself from Franklin—she believes that he is deliberately lying about having stolen the diamond. However, while Franklin did take the diamond, the context of the supposed theft is not as it appears, reflecting The Unreliability of Witnessing and Memory.

“At the outset of my career in this country, the vile slander to which I have referred struck me down at once and for ever.”

Ezra Jennings is here narrating the history of his life to Franklin Blake. Jennings has had a sad and lonely life because he was once falsely accused of a crime, and has never been able to fully shake off these rumors. This quotation helps to explain why Jennings is so powerfully motivated to help Franklin solve the crime, even though he is close to death: Since Jennings knows how terrible it can be to suffer from false accusations, he wants to help Franklin prove his innocence. Jennings’s noble character beneath his unattractive appearance and his sad past highlights Public Reputation Versus Inner Nature.

“The action of opium is comprised, in the majority of cases, in two influences—a stimulating influence first, and a sedative influence afterwards.”

Jennings explains the qualities of opium to Franklin, as he explains why he is convinced that Franklin acted under the influence of opium. Franklin’s inability to recall what he did while under the effects of the drug reflects The Unreliability of Witnessing and Memory.

“I have loved him from first to last—even when I was wronging him in my own thoughts; even when I was saying the hardest and the cruellest words to him.”

Rachel says this to Jennings in the lead-up to the experiment. By now, Rachel is convinced of Franklin’s innocence, and eager for the experiment to exonerate him, reflecting The Tensions Between Empirical Evidence and Faith. She explains why she has protected Franklin, even when she mistakenly believed he was a villain. This quotation shows how complex and ambiguous motivations lead to confusion within the plot.

“It was all over now. The sedative influence had got him; the experiment was at an end.”

This quotation occurs as Jennings narrates what he observes after Franklin takes the simulated diamond during the experiment: Franklin passes out on the sofa. This makes the experiment inconclusive, as they still don’t know what happened to the real diamond after Franklin took it from the sitting room. The quotation shows that the mystery will continue, and further investigation will have to take place.

“He’s washing off his complexion now!”

This quotation occurs after the mysterious man who picked up the diamond from the bank is found dead. Gooseberry notices Cuff removing the disguise that the man has been wearing, revealing that the man is actually Godfrey Ablewhite. The quotation is significant because it reflects the theme of Public Reputation Versus Inner Nature: While the diamond’s Indian origins are often presented as sinister, the crime and confusion largely result from the greed of a supposedly respectable white man.