# Bohemianism vs. Respectability in The Cloven Foot

> Theme guide for The Cloven Foot by M. E. Braddon.

John Treverton's past life as a Parisian artist and 'Jack Chicot' contrasts sharply with his later role as a country squire, highlighting the conflict between artistic freedom and the demands of respectable society.

## Where it surfaces

- [La Chicot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/iv-la-chicot): The Chicots' extravagant, pleasure-seeking life contrasts sharply with the respectable, orderly habits of Mrs. Rawber, highlighting the tension between bohemian and conventional values.
- [La Chicot Has Her Own Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/vi-la-chicot-has-her-own-way): Jack's life as a draughtsman and his wife's career as a ballet dancer contrast with his longing for respectability and a life free from scandal.
- [Days That Are Over, Dreams That Are Done](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/viii-days-that-are-over-dreams-that-are-done): La Chicot's life as a dancer and the bohemian world of the theatre are contrasted with the domestic ideal.
- [XIV: “You Have but to Say the Word”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xiv-you-have-but-to-say-the-word): La Chicot's reckless, bohemian lifestyle contrasts with the offers of a respectable house in Mayfair from Lemuel.
- [Edward Clare Discovers a Likeness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xv-edward-clare-discovers-a-likeness): The contrast between Laura's secluded, respectable life at Hazlehurst and Chicot's Bohemian existence in London is emphasized.
- [XVII: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xvii-murder): The lodging house inhabitants include a tragic actress and a woman of questionable habits, contrasting with the respectable horror of murder.
- [The Children's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxv-the-children-s-party): Edward describes the suspicious man as a 'London Bohemian' and a swindler, contrasting the respectable setting of the children's party with the disreputable underworld of London.
- [XXVII: Desrolles Is Not Communicative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxvii-desrolles-is-not-communicative): Desrolles is transformed by money from a shabby pauper into a confident Bohemian, contrasting with Edward Clare's settled, respectable life. The tension between artistic freedom and social propriety is evident.
- [George Gerard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxix-george-gerard): Gerard's hard, ambitious, and solitary professional life as a doctor in London stands in contrast to the comfortable, domestic respectability of the Clare household.
- [XXXI: Why Don’t You Trust Me?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxi-why-don-t-you-trust-me): John's past life as a Bohemian artist in Paris contrasts sharply with his current life as a respectable country gentleman.
- [At the Morgue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-morgue): John's internal conflict between his former Bohemian life as Jack Chicot and his current respectable identity as master of Hazlehurst Manor.
- [XLV: The Hunt for Desrolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xlv-the-hunt-for-desrolles): Desrolles' return to his old, disreputable Parisian haunts and his embrace of a dissolute lifestyle contrast sharply with the respectability he briefly sought.
- [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/epilogue): John Treverton's past Bohemian existence under an assumed name is discussed as a scandal that eventually fades, and Edward Clare's departure for a practical life contrasts with his former poetic idleness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/themes/bohemianism_vs_respectability
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/themes