# Crime and Justice in The Cloven Foot

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

The book examines wrongful accusation, murder, and the legal system's fallibility, as John Treverton faces a murder charge and must prove his innocence against circumstantial evidence.

## Where it surfaces

- [XVII: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xvii-murder): The chapter depicts the immediate aftermath of a murder, the investigation by police and surgeon, and the suspicion falling on the husband.
- [What the Diamonds Were Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xviii-what-the-diamonds-were-worth): The chapter focuses on the inquest, police investigation, and public outcry over the murder, highlighting the tension between evidence and presumption.
- [A Village Iago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxii-a-village-iago): The dinner conversation revolves around the Chicot murder, with characters debating the guilt of the husband and the effectiveness of the police, reflecting societal concerns about crime and justice.
- [XXVII: Desrolles Is Not Communicative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxvii-desrolles-is-not-communicative): The murder of La Chicot and the search for the fugitive Chicot dominate the dialogue. Edward Clare expresses a personal desire to bring the murderer to justice, while Desrolles speculates about Chicot's possible suicide.
- [Edward Clare Goes on a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxviii-edward-clare-goes-on-a-voyage-of-discovery): The unresolved murder of La Chicot and Edward's determination to expose fraud highlight themes of crime and moral justice.
- [XXX: Thou Art the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxx-thou-art-the-man): The unresolved murder of La Chicot hangs over the chapter, with Gerard and Edward debating whether to pursue justice at the cost of Laura's happiness.
- [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 is suspected of murdering his first wife, and Laura insists on legal and moral rectitude by revealing the fraud.
- [On a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxv-on-a-voyage-of-discovery): The chapter revolves around preventing a potential murder accusation by proving the invalidity of Treverton's first marriage.
- [On Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxix-on-suspicion): The chapter centers on John Treverton's arrest and the legal process, exploring themes of suspicion, evidence, and the struggle to prove innocence.
- [Mr. Leopold Asks Irrelevant Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xl-mr-leopold-asks-irrelevant-questions): The chapter focuses on the legal inquiry into La Chicot's murder, with Mr. Leopold building a defense and questioning witnesses.
- [Mrs. Evitt Makes a Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xli-mrs-evitt-makes-a-revelation): The chapter revolves around the investigation of La Chicot's murder, the gathering of evidence, and the legal process leading to John Treverton's potential exoneration.
- [XLIV: Three Witnesses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xliv-three-witnesses): The chapter depicts the legal process as John Treverton is tried and ultimately discharged, highlighting the role of evidence and witness testimony.
- [XLV: The Hunt for Desrolles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xlv-the-hunt-for-desrolles): Desrolles' fear of legal repercussions from John Treverton's arrest highlights the theme of crime and justice, as he contemplates fleeing to avoid exposure.

## Links

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