Themes, Ideas and Messages GapFill

The childless Alice Drablow, in forcing her sister Jennet Humfrye to give up son Nathaniel, arguably illustrates a central theme of the novella, that of  revengebetrayalmotherhoodsuperstition. However, this is never conclusively demonstrated as it could actually be the case that Alice merely wished to give Nathaniel a better   lifelibraryeducationnursery.

Arthur's sense of dislocation and confusion is connected to the   landscapewildlifeweatherhorticulture at Eel Marsh House: most obviously, the location is cut off from the mainland by the   mountainmarshestideforest. In this way Arthur's character is closely connected with the theme of   the supernaturalexplorationmemorynature.

Hill links the idea of   jealousydeathliferevenge to that of   hopelessnessjealousywickednessinnocence, and this is an example of   naturalismsymbolismironymetaphor in the novella, the events of which depict a cruel universe defined by   isolationinjusticelustgreed. This is why Arthur takes   priderefugesolacedelight in family life with Stella and then Esmé. Arthur's fear of   depravityoutsidersmadnessisolation makes the family an essential part of his existence. He is, for example, happy to be the   chaperonestepfatherinstructorguardian of another man's children. He is well-suited to family life as he is shown to appreciate   ambitioncalmnessrestlessnessselflessness in others such as Keckwick and Sam Daily. This sense of a safe reality that Arthur carries with him is nearly destroyed by another reality, that of   ghostssex without marriagedemonslawlessness, which he experiences at Eel Marsh House. His   forgivingpragmaticintrovertedhappy-go-lucky response makes his confusion on account of this all the more believable.