# How does The Cloven Foot develop the theme of Inheritance and Legitimacy?

> The Cloven Foot by M. E. Braddon

## Answer

The Cloven Foot by M. E. Braddon develops Inheritance and Legitimacy across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The entire plot is driven by Jasper Treverton's will, which conditions inheritance on a marriage, raising questions about rightful ownership, fraud, and the legitimacy of claims to property.

The entire chapter revolves around the inheritance of Jasper Treverton's estate, with John Treverton as the sole surviving relative and the condition of marriage attached to the bequest.

The will's condition ties John's inheritance to marriage with Laura, raising questions about legitimacy and obligation.

Jasper Treverton's will forces John to marry Laura to inherit, creating tension between personal desire and financial obligation.

## Evidence

- [i-the-heir-presumptive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/i-the-heir-presumptive.md): The entire chapter revolves around the inheritance of Jasper Treverton's estate, with John Treverton as the sole surviving relative and the condition of marriage attached to the bequest.
- [ii-jasper-treverton-s-will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/ii-jasper-treverton-s-will.md): The will's condition ties John's inheritance to marriage with Laura, raising questions about legitimacy and obligation.
- [v-a-disappointed-lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/v-a-disappointed-lover.md): Jasper Treverton's will forces John to marry Laura to inherit, creating tension between personal desire and financial obligation.
- [ix-and-art-thou-come-and-art-thou-true](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/ix-and-art-thou-come-and-art-thou-true.md): The marriage is driven by the conditions of Jasper Treverton's will; Laura and John must marry to secure the estate and prevent it from going to a hospital.
- [xiii-the-settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xiii-the-settlement.md): The deed of settlement transfers John's inherited estate to Laura, emphasizing themes of property, inheritance, and the legal securing of a wife's position.
- [xxvi-a-disinterested-parent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxvi-a-disinterested-parent.md): Laura's adoption by Jasper Treverton and the revelation of her true father raise questions about inheritance and familial legitimacy.
- [xxxii-on-his-defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxii-on-his-defence.md): The validity of Treverton's first marriage directly impacts his right to inherit the Hazlehurst estate, with the potential for the estate to be used to found a hospital.
- [xxxv-on-a-voyage-of-discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxv-on-a-voyage-of-discovery.md): The validity of Treverton's first marriage directly impacts his inheritance and the legitimacy of his current marriage.

## Links

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