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Chapter 3: Investigators
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Unsheltered, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Truth vs. Comfort
Evolution, Adaptation, and Survival
False Promises and Hope
Consumerism and Greed
Human Connection
Summary
Analysis
Back in the 19th century, Thatcher returns from a frustrating meeting at the schoolhouse to find Polly upset. Scylla and Charybdis—the dogs abandoned by the house’s previous renter and adopted by Polly—are missing. Polly claims Mrs. Treat, who likes the dogs, has stolen them and asks Thatcher to investigate. Reluctantly, Thatcher obliges. Mrs. Treat beckons him into a parlor filled with books, where the dogs are sitting with her. Mrs. Treat asks Thatcher to stay, though she is sitting stiffly at her desk. The parlor contains numerous jars filled with soil and vegetation. After confirming Thatcher is the new science teacher, Mrs. Treat informs him that each jar contains a spider. She captures them in the garden.
Thatcher’s troubles at the schoolhouse suggest he is not fitting into his new position well. Despite her strange welcome, Mrs. Treat seems to sense Thatcher as a kindred spirit, sharing her spider collection with him after confirming he is the new science teacher.
Themes
Literary Devices
Mrs. Treat’s spiders build their own houses out of sticks. Thatcher is embarrassed to find himself envious of the houses’ sturdy construction. The spiders are Mrs. Treat’s pets, and she makes notes of their behavior. Mrs. Treat apologizes for shutting the dogs in the house and for the lack of tea, explaining that she is in the middle of an experiment. Thatcher suddenly sees that a Venus flytrap is biting Mrs. Treat’s finger. Mrs. Treat explains that she wants to observe the effects of the plant’s digestive secretions for at least five hours, but is surprised to feel strained already. Bemused, Thatcher offers to make Mrs. Treat tea and keep her company in the interest of science. He lets the dogs outside.
The spiders’ houses speak to the way all living things require shelter to survive. That Thatcher is jealous of the spiders’ houses demonstrates his felt connection to the world of animals and insects. Though Mrs. Treat calls the spiders her “pets,” she takes peculiar pride in their ingenuity, suggesting she sees them as more than insects. Mrs. Treat’s experiment with the Venus flytrap is further proof of her dedication to scientific observation and study. Thatcher, too, seems to immediately recognize that he and Mrs. Treat have much in common.
Themes
Mrs. Treat is fond of carnivorous plants and studies native species. She also corresponds with “Mr. Darwin,” noting the time it takes the plant to digest various insects. Not sure if she is mad, Thatcher asks if she refers to Charles Darwin, the English naturalist. Mrs. Treat confirms this by showing Thatcher her latest letter from Darwin, dated June 1874. Astonished, Thatcher realizes his own bias in presuming the parlor’s books belonged to Dr. Treat instead of Mrs. Treat, who is herself a scientist. He envies her correspondence with Darwin, whose books he greatly admires, particularly On the Origin of Species.
Mrs. Treat asks whether Thatcher supports Darwin’s theory on “descent through modification.” Thatcher does, but in his recent meeting he learned that Professor Cutler, the new school’s principal, may not allow him to discuss Darwin’s theories with pupils. Darwin’s controversial studies have convinced Thatcher, who has always felt connected to the natural world of plants and animals. That said, he understands why some people find the notion unacceptable and contrary to their views of humanity and God. Mrs. Treat has spoken to Dr. Asa Gray—an American follower of Darwin—about this. She does not believe Darwin’s theories conflict with the concepts of God and divinity.
Themes
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Thatcher fears that his earlier disagreement with Cutler over Darwin’s theories has endangered his job. He worries that standing up for the “noble crusades” of science will lead to the loss of his house and wife. Mrs. Treat insists that Thatcher’s troubles do not change the truth, which will one day be accepted. Thatcher compares human mythologies to protective shelters which are given up reluctantly. He feels Mrs. Treat can see through him. Thatcher thanks her for the company and leaves. Scylla and Charybdis flank her front door, making Thatcher feel like Odysseus as he steps between them.
