**Beethoven’s 7th Symphony plays in the background**
‘”Can I ever forget it?” he thought; “can I ever forget his blank white face as he sat opposite to me at the coffee-house, with the Times newspaper in his hand? There are some crimes that can never be atoned for, and this is one of them. If I could bring George Talboys to life to-morrow, I could never heal that horrible heart-wound; I could never make him the man he was before he read that printed lie”‘ (377).
This is an important flashback in the story, and it really makes one consider the scene that occurred earlier in the novel. However, before referencing the earlier instance, it is important to cite repetition and binaries. The word “forget” appears twice and this is important because Robert doesn’t know if he can actually forget what has occurred, concerning his good friend, George. In addition, the binary “I could” vs “I could never” comes into play, indicating that, if Robert were able to bring George back to life, he most certainly would do so, but he would never be able to assuage the pain created by Helen’s “death.” Again, readers are shown that Robert really does care about George – whether this a romantic type of affection, or so forth.
In contrast to the time this scene actually occurred (p. 39), this flashback is understood differently by the reader, mainly because we now know what Lady Audley (AKA Helen) has done (when we previously had no idea) and, truly, that her entire life is a lie. This is an important passage because it highlights Lady Audley as a determined character, making readers think about her circumstance, and everything that she has experienced. Now readers have an understanding of her as a character: at first, she was Helen Maldon, daughter to a drunk. She ends up marrying a man named George because he had quite a lot of money. However, because George married someone of a low social and financial background, he was disinherited. After George goes to Australia, Helen becomes Lucy Graham and works as a governess. Later on, she becomes Sir Michael’s wife (and a bigamist). Clearly, this passage alone brings back the theme of “madness” and what it means to be a sane individual. Lady Audley enters a slow journey into madness through all of her decisions. Aside from abandoning her child, she doesn’t seem to show any emotions for the problems that she is concocting (such as leaving a horrible heart-wound on George).
This may be crazy, but if George were still alive, do you think Robert would explain the entire truth to George – let him know that Helen only married him for his money? Maybe, instead of George being completely crestfallen – and depressed – he would become infuriated, and find a way to “get back” at Helen. What if George actually is alive?
This post connects nicely with the one titled “Robert the Prophet.” In both of your posts, you allude to the possibility of George actually being alive. Now, having read the conclusion of the book, we all know that you were indeed correct. Subsequently, it is fair to say that you were not being crazy at all. Additionally, I am glad that you brought up the details of George’s disinheritance, for it paints a nice symmetry for the characters. Because of his marriage to Helen, George found himself at rock bottom in a metaphorical sense: he was broke. Because of his confrontation with Lady Audley, he found himself literally at the rock bottom of a well.
Thank you for the comment, Mycroft! This was an interesting connection to read.
I guess this story ended happily ever after? Haha
I struggle agreeing that Lady Audley is “mad”. She is obviously heartless and conniving, but I don’t think she is clinically insane. Marrying George for money isn’t an act of insanity. It’s an act of selfishness and greed. The same goes for her marriage to Sir Michael. Lady Audley is very smart and tricked Sir Michael into thinking she’s a humanitarian who loves helping others. We now see that to be a lie. Sir Michael realizes this in the passage discussed last week in class. The author wrote, “The dream was broken. Sir Michael Audley remembered that summer’s evening, nearly two years ago, when he had first declared his love for Mr. Dawson’s governess; he remembered the sick, half shuddering sensation of regret and disappointment that had come over him then; and he felt as if it had in some manner dimly foreshadowed- owed the agony of tonight.” Volume 3 Chapter 3.
Sir Michael Audley fell for the ‘picturesque” wife Lady Audley appeared to be. She was beautiful and the perfect woman of the house. This dream was broken when Sir Michael realized she was only pretending and had fooled him all this time. The regret he feels seems as if he blamed himself for not knowing marrying her was a bad idea. He remembers the night he expressed his love for her, and he remember the regret he felt. Sir Michael blames himself for being deceived by a woman. This relates back to the blog post written by Michelle entitled “Beast in the Beauty.” Putting Lady Audley in a mad house saves Sir Michael the embarrassment.
Thanks for the response, Cousin IT. Generally, I try to stray clear of using such defined vocabulary, but, in this case, I think it is absolutely appropriate to label Lady Audley as “mad.” I completely understand your argument, however. I think you raise an interesting point in that marrying George wasn’t an act of insanity, but merely just an act of greed and selfishness on Lady Audley’s part (I tend to concur).
However, we need to look at Lady Audley’s entire circumstance and not forget who she really is. Throughout the story, it is easy to get caught up in the moment and sympathize with Lady Audley because she is merely a woman living in Victorian times. Nevertheless, she did abandon her husband, child, and father. Why? Because she though it would be best for them? No – she did it solely for herself in order to achieve wealth and status. Furthermore, she does “trap” George inside of a well! And, of course, let’s not forget her trying to burn down the inn where Robert and Luke were staying. To me, these actions are absolutely unjustifiable (at least in Lady Audley’s situation).
Lady Audley clearly wants a life of luxury, so, in a way, yes, this makes her “greedy” and “selfish.” However, her route to achieve this end – to obtain this luxurious lifestyle – is what categorizes her as a “mad” woman because, truly, she is willing to do whatever it takes.
And I mean whatever it takes.