Selflessness in the novel The Moonstone

The leitmotif of self-sacrifice echoes throughout the novel The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. The theme of self-sacrifice is evident from the very onset of the novel with the introduction of the three Brahmins in the prologue, who are destined by their sacred moon deity to guard the moonstone “to the end of the generations of men.”(2). The sacrifice entailed in this devout stewardship is first realized, when in the prologue it’s discovered that John Herncastle murdered three of the Brahmins in the original theft of the moonstone. The fact that the Brahmins would give their lives in an attempt to protect the diamond for their god demonstrates their selflessness.

However, the degree of self-sacrifice becomes even more poignant when the second generation of the three guardian Brahmins, who are descended from the murdered Brahmins, travel to England to retake the diamond. They hope to take back the diamond from Lady Verinder whom has been given the stolen diamond by her uncle John Herncastle, whom was the original thief of the Indian gem. Proof of their commitment to their cause is exhibited when through the merit of their selfless devotion the Brahmins choose to relinquish their lofty high caste roots in India. They do this in order to more covertly pursue the gem to England in the guise of ordinary low caste Indians, “who had forfeited their caste in the service of their god the god had commanded that their purification should be the purification by pilgrimage” (465). Another aspect of their sacrifice is the “purification by pilgrimage” (465), for in the conclusion of the novel the three Brahmins who forsook their high caste to retrieve the diamond for their god, are nonetheless still punished for violating their high caste. As punishment the Brahmins are forced to go separate ways on a pilgrimage to all the shrines of India. The Brahmins are obligated to continue the purifying pilgrimage until the day of their death.

This forfeiting of status is an especially powerful act in the context of this novel, due to the power and privilege social status so clearly confers on the characters throughout the course of the story. An example of the unequal class power relations within the novel can be found in how the servants are the first to be investigated and suspected, while the wealthy upper class members of the household are initially free of suspicion.

Another example of self-sacrifice in The Moonstone is Rachel Verinder’s altruistic act of concealing Franklin Blake’s guilt. Franklin had unconsciously stolen the moonstone but had no recollection of committing the crime. Yet in spite of Rachel having actually witnessed him commit the felony she nonetheless, out of love for Franklin chooses to cover up his wrongdoing, and as a result jeopardizes her own reputation. The realization of the risk she is putting herself in is evinced, when she says to Franklin, “I have kept your infamy a secret… And I have suffered the consequences of concealing it.”(339). Unfortunately Rachel’s sacrifice is not the only one borne from romantic passion. The servant Rosanna surpasses Rachel’s act of selflessness, as she also bears the brunt of much suspicion and investigation in order to protect Franklin. Yet Rosanna’s sacrifice is rendered more tragic by the fact her act of love has no chance of being returned. This is not just because of class difference between her and Franklin, it’s also for the more hurtful reasons of Franklin simply possessing no interest whatsoever in Rosanna. This is in part due to the fact Rosanna has the unfortunate attributes of a misshapen shoulder and unattractive looks. In spite of her unrequited love Rosanna takes more drastic action than Rachel to protect Franklin, as she, at great risk to herself, destroys a nightgown which may have implicated Franklin Blake in the crime. Rosanna even creates a copy to hide the fact she destroyed the damning paint stained gown. Rosanna’s commitment to Franklin borders on delusional obsession, and her delirious love of Franklin is captured in the lines of her suicide note which read, “My work, sir, was to make your bed, and to put your room tidy. It was the happiest hour I had in the whole day. I used to kiss the pillow on which your head rested all night” (313). Rosanna in the end, after hearing a conversation where Franklin expresses his indifference and even dislike for her, decides to end the misery of her perpetual rejection through suicide.

The Moonstone reveals many examples of individual self-sacrifice in the service of attaining a perceived greater good. The Brahmin priests sacrifice themselves nobly for their god, Rachel conceals Franklin’s guilt at great cost to herself in order to protect her lover and thereby secure their future together, and Rosanna tragically sacrifices herself in order to save the reputation of the man she loves. It seems Wilkie Collins is illustrating that human beings can be capable of great deeds that transcend self interest when love, or the idea of something greater than themselves, is involved.


Works cited: Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone, Published Oxford
Essay by Mark Holt

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