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Volume 1, Chapter 9
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Caleb Williams, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Hierarchy, Tyranny, and Oppression
The Legal System
Morality and Corruption
Reason vs. Passion
Truth and Justice
Summary
Analysis
When Tyrrel hears from Grimes that their plan to force Emily into marriage failed, he’s enraged. He also worries that Falkland will now spread the word about how he mistreated Emily, thereby ruining his reputation. Tyrrel decides to have Emily arrested for not paying an outstanding debt of hundreds of pounds—the money Emily supposedly owes Tyrrel for receiving shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities from him for 14 years. Tyrrel’s own steward balks at this decision and reminds Tyrrel that Emily doesn’t owe him anything. She’s also underage and can’t be arrested. However, Tyrrel doesn’t listen, and he orders Emily to be apprehended anyway.
Tyrrel’s fear about his reputation highlights his selfishness—he cares significantly more about his social standing than Emily’s wellbeing. Moreover, Tyrrel ignores both legality and morality to get revenge on Emily. It doesn’t matter that she’s innocent; because Tyrrel is wealthy and powerful, he’s willing and able to use the law as a tool to exert his power over someone who’s inferior to him in status. Tyrrel’s decision to arrest Emily is clearly wrong, and it contradicts both truth and justice.
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Literary Devices
Meanwhile, at Mrs. Hammond’s house, Emily has fallen ill. She’s feverish and delirious. On the second night after her escape from Tyrrel’s house, a bailiff arrives and delivers a writ against Emily for the debt Tyrrel claims she owes him. Outraged, Mrs. Hammond refuses to let the bailiff take Emily—a sick, innocent child—to jail. However, the bailiff says he must follow his orders regardless. Emily resigns herself to the misfortune awaiting her and agrees to go with the bailiff willingly. Mrs. Hammond sends a messenger to ask Mr. Falkland for help, and then she accompanies Emily to the county jail.
Emily’s illness heightens the injustice of her arrest. Because Tyrrel is a rich, powerful gentleman, the law is carried out however he pleases, regardless of the illegality and immorality of sending his own young cousin to jail based on a false accusation. As the bailiff unquestioningly obeys Tyrrel’s will, he illustrates the corruption of the legal system: it serves the authority of aristocrats and wrongfully condemns innocent people.
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In prison, Emily’s condition worsens. She spends the next day in her cell suffering from high fever and hallucinations. Mr. Falkland arrives with a doctor the following evening. Emily’s health seems to improve briefly, but in the morning it becomes clear that she’s dying. Emily thanks the doctor and Falkland for their kind attention, and she says she forgives Tyrrel. Then she dies in Mrs. Hammond’s arms.
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