# Identity and Deception in Simon

> Theme guide for Simon by J. Storer Clouston.

The central plot revolves around the twin brothers Simon and his brother, where one impersonates the other after a confrontation, exploring how easily identity can be assumed and the psychological strain of maintaining a false persona.

## Where it surfaces

- [IV: The Man from the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/iv-the-man-from-the-west): Ned Cromarty's dual identity as a former cowboy and current laird is highlighted, along with his playful deception in pretending not to know Cicely was at the office.
- [V: The Third Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/v-the-third-visitor): Cicely's quest to uncover her true parentage and the deliberate concealment by the Cromarty family.
- [Mr. Carrington's Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxi-mr-carrington-s-walk): Carrington adopts a casual, nonchalant persona to disguise his investigative interest, while Cicely initially hides her relation to the Cromarty family.
- [Mr. Bisset's Assistant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-bisset-s-assistant): Carrington adopts multiple false identities—first as a sporting gentleman, then as an insurance representative—to gather information without revealing his true purpose.
- [XXVII: Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxvii-flight): Ned creates a fabricated identity as 'Uncle Ned Dawkins' to protect Cicely, highlighting the use of deception as a protective measure.
- [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxviii-the-return): Ned adopts the false identity of Mr. Dawkins; Rattar deceives Cicely about Ned's intentions; Cicely's mistaken belief about her engagement.
- [XXX: A Marked Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxx-a-marked-man): Carrington deceives Sir Malcolm by posing as a sympathetic stranger before revealing his detective identity, and later advises Sir Malcolm to deceive Rattar about their meeting.
- [The House of Mysteries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-house-of-mysteries): Carrington's sympathetic stranger persona is a deliberate deception to extract information, highlighting the theme of hidden identities.
- [XXXVIII: Trapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxviii-trapped): George Rattar's impersonation of his brother Simon is the central deception, unraveled by Carrington's investigation.
- [The Yarn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxix-the-yarn): George Rattar's entire scheme hinges on impersonating his brother Simon, exploiting the assumption that no one would suspect a man of not being himself.
- [XL: The Last Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xl-the-last-chapter): The central revelation of the chapter is that George Rattar has been impersonating his twin brother Simon, deceiving everyone including the police and the detective for an extended period.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/themes/identity_and_deception
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/themes