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Chapter 12
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Mary Barton, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Employers vs. Workers
Sexuality and Danger
Christianity
Poverty and Morality
Empathy vs. Ignorance
Summary
Analysis
Several days later, Will invites Mary to Job’s for a gathering. When Mary asks who else will attend, Will says Jem won’t—he’s too mopey. At Job’s, Job quizzes Will on the flora and fauna of the countries he’s sailed to. Will tells a story about a sailor friend who saw a mermaid, to Job’s disbelieving scorn. When an awed Mary asks what else Will has seen, he tells her about flying fish. Job, who has heard of flying fish, credits this story, and Will offers a dried flying fish specimen to him. Ecstatic, Job tries to think how to thank Will and asks Margaret to sing for him. Will is enchanted by her singing.
Jem’s refusal to attend gatherings hints at his ongoing emotional wounds from Mary’s refusal, despite his ability to continue working and supporting his older female relatives. Meanwhile, Will’s generous gift to Job shows yet again the communal spirit that animates the working-class characters’ relations with one another.
Themes
Will—trying to be friendly to Job—asks whether Job would like a tailless Manx cat for Margaret, as Will is going to visit his mother’s friends on the Isle of Man before he ships out. When Mary goes to sit with Alice, she notes sadly Alice’s dimming eyes. Alice tells her not to be sad: as she loses her hearing and sight, she feels as though God is “lulling [her] away to [her] long sleep.” Mary goes home and thinks sadly of her predicaments, including her father’s illness and her regrettable flirtation with the pestering Harry.
Will’s friendliness to Job is ambiguous: he may be trying to repay Job for the gift of Margaret’s singing—or he may be attracted to Margaret and trying to befriend her male guardian as a result. Alice’s peaceful, positive resignation to losing her senses shows her Christian faith and hope—which contrasts with Mary’s worry and fear as she considers Harry’s ongoing harassment of her.
Themes
