The Case of Two Wills
Courtney Blatchford
Student #0631455
October 29, 2006
In the novel, The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins demonstrates fantastic story telling skills, by giving his readers a massive amount of information, some important to the discovery of who stole the diamond, and other information, that is not so important, although it might seem very crucial when it is first introduced. Some of the most important information Collins bestows on his readers is pushed aside at the thought that it isn’t as important, and it isn’t until the novel is finished, and all is revealed, that Collins shows his readers exactly why this seemingly passing information was important in the first place. An important example of this case is in the solicitor Matthew Bruff’s narrative, in which he introduces, and discusses the Wills of Sir John Verinder and his wife; and by doing so, reveals the motives of Godfrey Ablewhite.
One of the most important details of the novel, which doesn’t appear important at the time, is the description of Lady Verinder’s Will, as well as her late husband’s. By describing the two Wills, Collins is demonstrating the different circumstances of mother and daughter. One of the most unusual aspects of Sir John’s Will is the fact that he leaves everything to his wife, without having a guardian or anyone else to keep an eye on Lady Verinder, and make sure that she spends his money wisely. This gives Lady Verinder a great deal of freedom, as she is allowed to make her own decisions regarding her estate, without having to hold herself accountable to anyone but herself. To have this amount of power of herself and her possessions was unheard of in that day and age, but as the solicitor Mr. Bruff admits, the late Lady Verinder proves herself more than capable of this action. “In the majority of cases, I am afraid that I should have felt it my duty to my client to ask him to reconsider his Will. In the case of Sir John, I knew Lady Verinder to be, not only worthy of the unreserved trust which her husband had placed in her . . . – but to be also capable of properly administering a trust.” (p. 265). It is interesting to note that in this passage, which describes Lady Verinder’s
Lady Verinder’s Will is very different from her husband’s, as she has organized her estate in a way so that her daughter has no control over her own money, but is instead given money at certain intervals, as well as having a guardian over her and her estate. The reason for this action, does not however appear to be because Lady Verinder does not believe her daughter incapable of looking after her own money, although Rachael’s reaction to the loss of her diamond has put a lot of things into question. However, the reason appears to be that Rachael has just become of marriageable age, and already, her attention is sought by two young men. If Rachael were to marry, all of her money would instantly become her husband’s, and she would no longer have any control over it. By imposing the limits to her will that she does, Lady Verinder has insured that her daughter will not be taken advantage of. And even though this doesn’t give Rachael the same amount of freedom that her mother had, at least it saves her from a marriage made for money.
By describing the two wills in Bruff’s narrative, Collins is demonstrating to his readers both the different circumstances that are facing Lady Verinder and Rachael; but at the same time, he also reveals why Godfrey’s motive, which is to get as much money as he possibly can at the earliest date possible, cannot be achieved through a marriage to Rachael, as he will have no control over her money if he does marry her.
Student #0631455
October 29, 2006
In the novel, The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins demonstrates fantastic story telling skills, by giving his readers a massive amount of information, some important to the discovery of who stole the diamond, and other information, that is not so important, although it might seem very crucial when it is first introduced. Some of the most important information Collins bestows on his readers is pushed aside at the thought that it isn’t as important, and it isn’t until the novel is finished, and all is revealed, that Collins shows his readers exactly why this seemingly passing information was important in the first place. An important example of this case is in the solicitor Matthew Bruff’s narrative, in which he introduces, and discusses the Wills of Sir John Verinder and his wife; and by doing so, reveals the motives of Godfrey Ablewhite.
One of the most important details of the novel, which doesn’t appear important at the time, is the description of Lady Verinder’s Will, as well as her late husband’s. By describing the two Wills, Collins is demonstrating the different circumstances of mother and daughter. One of the most unusual aspects of Sir John’s Will is the fact that he leaves everything to his wife, without having a guardian or anyone else to keep an eye on Lady Verinder, and make sure that she spends his money wisely. This gives Lady Verinder a great deal of freedom, as she is allowed to make her own decisions regarding her estate, without having to hold herself accountable to anyone but herself. To have this amount of power of herself and her possessions was unheard of in that day and age, but as the solicitor Mr. Bruff admits, the late Lady Verinder proves herself more than capable of this action. “In the majority of cases, I am afraid that I should have felt it my duty to my client to ask him to reconsider his Will. In the case of Sir John, I knew Lady Verinder to be, not only worthy of the unreserved trust which her husband had placed in her . . . – but to be also capable of properly administering a trust.” (p. 265). It is interesting to note that in this passage, which describes Lady Verinder’s
Lady Verinder’s Will is very different from her husband’s, as she has organized her estate in a way so that her daughter has no control over her own money, but is instead given money at certain intervals, as well as having a guardian over her and her estate. The reason for this action, does not however appear to be because Lady Verinder does not believe her daughter incapable of looking after her own money, although Rachael’s reaction to the loss of her diamond has put a lot of things into question. However, the reason appears to be that Rachael has just become of marriageable age, and already, her attention is sought by two young men. If Rachael were to marry, all of her money would instantly become her husband’s, and she would no longer have any control over it. By imposing the limits to her will that she does, Lady Verinder has insured that her daughter will not be taken advantage of. And even though this doesn’t give Rachael the same amount of freedom that her mother had, at least it saves her from a marriage made for money.
By describing the two wills in Bruff’s narrative, Collins is demonstrating to his readers both the different circumstances that are facing Lady Verinder and Rachael; but at the same time, he also reveals why Godfrey’s motive, which is to get as much money as he possibly can at the earliest date possible, cannot be achieved through a marriage to Rachael, as he will have no control over her money if he does marry her.
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