# How does Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories develop the theme of Fate vs. Free Will?

> Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde

## Answer

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde develops Fate vs. Free Will across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The narrative explores whether individuals are puppets of destiny or agents of their own choices, as Lord Arthur attempts to control his fate by acting on a deterministic prophecy.

The palm reading suggests a predetermined fate, yet Arthur actively chooses to pursue murder, blurring the line between destiny and choice.

Lord Arthur grapples with the deterministic prophecy from Mr. Podgers, questioning whether humans are mere pawns of destiny.

Lord Arthur is consumed by the prophecy of murder, questioning whether he and the poor are 'puppets of a monstrous show' or have any control over their destinies.

## Evidence

- [lord-arthur-savile-s-crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/lord-arthur-savile-s-crime.md): The palm reading suggests a predetermined fate, yet Arthur actively chooses to pursue murder, blurring the line between destiny and choice.
- [i](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/i.md): Lord Arthur grapples with the deterministic prophecy from Mr. Podgers, questioning whether humans are mere pawns of destiny.
- [ii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/ii.md): Lord Arthur is consumed by the prophecy of murder, questioning whether he and the poor are 'puppets of a monstrous show' or have any control over their destinies.
- [iii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/iii.md): Arthur actively pursues the prophecy's fulfillment, believing he can control his destiny through action.
- [iv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/iv.md): Arthur's elaborate plan to commit murder is rendered pointless by Lady Clementina's natural death, questioning whether fate or his own actions determined the outcome.
- [v](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/v.md): Arthur's frantic attempts to alter his prophesied fate through murder contrast with the ironic, accidental death of Podgers, which resolves the prophecy without Arthur's action.

## Links

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