Essay Questions

How does Kipling depict scandal in the text?

There is a suggestion in this short story that the residents of Helen's village are involved in each other's business. First, the story opens with the fact that "everyone in the village knew that Helen Turrell did her duty by all her world." Later, after Helen's ordeal is detailed, it is explained that "All these details were public property, for Helen was as open as the day, and held that scandals are only increased by hushing them up." As such, there is a suggestion that while Helen wants her business to remain private, it is something that she must be open about so people don't gossip about her. Overall, this is connected to the theme of impropriety, and the fact that people like Helen were restricted by the people around them.

What is the significance of Mrs. Scarsworth?

Helen meets Mrs. Scarsworth on the train when she is going to visit Michael's grave. The former tells Helen that she has been to the cemetery nine times, and goes there to complete commissions from families. However, Mrs. Scarsworth later reveals that this was a story to cover for the fact she was really visiting a man who she had been in love with. As such, Mrs. Scarsworth is significant as she is paralleled with Helen, as they are both using cover stories to explain why they are visiting the cemetery.