Gossip and Social Judgment

The boarding house is a hotbed of gossip and surveillance, where characters like Mrs. Bailey and the doctors interpret and judge Miriam's actions, leading to misunderstandings and a sense of being watched and misrepresented.

Dr. Hurd's gossip about Dr. von Heber's past and Miriam's reaction to it illustrate the role of gossip in social circles.

Mrs. Bailey's visit centers on gossip about Miriam and Mr. Mendizabal, highlighting the power of rumor in social circles.

Mrs. Bailey's veiled accusations and the Hurds' gossip about Eleanor illustrate the power of social judgment in the boarding house.