# Love and Marriage in The Cloven Foot

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

Marriage is portrayed as both a romantic ideal and a transactional arrangement, with characters like Laura and John marrying under false pretenses to fulfill a will's conditions, while genuine love struggles against societal and legal constraints.

## Where it surfaces

- [I: The Heir Presumptive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/i-the-heir-presumptive): Jasper Treverton's condition that John must marry Laura Malcolm to inherit the fortune introduces a transactional view of marriage, blending romantic and economic motives.
- [Jasper Treverton's Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/ii-jasper-treverton-s-will): The marriage condition creates an awkward, transactional dynamic between John and Laura, contrasting romantic ideals.
- [III: A Mysterious Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/iii-a-mysterious-visitor): The condition of Jasper Treverton's will forces a potential marriage between John and Laura, raising questions about duty, romance, and personal choice.
- [La Chicot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/iv-la-chicot): The marriage of La Chicot and Jack is tumultuous, marked by passion, quarrels, and regret, illustrating a dysfunctional union.
- [A Disappointed Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/v-a-disappointed-lover): Laura and John's potential marriage is framed as a duty-bound arrangement, contrasting with Edward's romantic hopes and the ideal of a love match.
- [La Chicot Has Her Own Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/vi-la-chicot-has-her-own-way): The chapter explores the decay of a marriage, with Jack feeling trapped and La Chicot indifferent to his concerns.
- [VII: "A Little While Such Lips as Thine to Kiss"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/vii-a-little-while-such-lips-as-thine-to-kiss): Celia's teasing and Laura's cautious response reveal the social pressures and romantic expectations surrounding Laura's potential marriage to Treverton.
- [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): The Chicots' unhappy marriage is dissected by neighbors and by Gerard, who questions Jack's love.
- [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): Central to the chapter: Laura's internal conflict over John's absence, their reconciliation, and his proposal under the chestnut tree, leading to their betrothal.
- [X: Engaged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/x-engaged): The chapter centers on John and Laura's engagement, contrasting Laura's innocent devotion with John's troubled awareness of his past.
- [No Trousseau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xi-no-trousseau): Laura's happiness in her betrothal and her defense of John's honor contrast with Celia's concerns about the lack of a proper trousseau and Edward's suspicions, underscoring the tension between romantic love and social conventions.
- [XII: An Ill-Omened Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xii-an-ill-omened-wedding): Laura's conflicted love for John despite his betrayal; the ill-omened marriage and its immediate unraveling.
- [XIII: The Settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xiii-the-settlement): John Treverton's settlement of all his property on Laura underscores the legal and financial dimensions of marriage, while Tom Sampson's musings on marrying Celia Clare reflect practical considerations of love and partnership.
- [Edward Clare Discovers a Likeness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xv-edward-clare-discovers-a-likeness): Laura's troubled marriage and Chicot's unhappy domestic situation reflect the complexities of marital relationships.
- [XVI: Shall It Be “Yes” or “No”?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xvi-shall-it-be-yes-or-no): The chapter explores the strained marriage between La Chicot and Jack, contrasting it with the transactional offer from Lemuel, and La Chicot's lingering love for her husband despite their estrangement.
- [XIX: “To a Deep Lawny Dell They Came”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xix-to-a-deep-lawny-dell-they-came): Laura's unwavering love and willingness to undergo a second marriage underscore the complexities of love and marital bonds.
- [The Church Near Camelot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xx-the-church-near-camelot): The chapter focuses on Laura and John's remarriage, emphasizing their happiness and the legal validation of their union.
- [XXI: Halcyon Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxi-halcyon-days): The chapter depicts the idyllic early married life of John and Laura, their mutual devotion, and the happiness they find in domesticity.
- [A Village Iago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxii-a-village-iago): Laura's defense of her husband and her insistence on friendship only from those who like John underscore the centrality of marital loyalty and love.
- [XXIII: “In the Meanwhile the Skies ’Gan Rumble Sore”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-meanwhile-the-skies-gan-rumble-sore): John and Laura enjoy a blissful first year of marriage, with the prospect of a child, while Edward's hidden resentment threatens their happiness.
- [XXIV: “And Purple Light Shone Over All”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxiv-and-purple-light-shone-over-all): Laura's devoted nursing of John during his illness highlights the tender bond of their marriage.
- [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): Laura's trusting love for John contrasts with Edward's belief that the marriage is invalid, questioning the legitimacy of their union.
- [XXX: Thou Art the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxx-thou-art-the-man): Laura's trusting love for John contrasts with the fraudulent basis of their marriage, and Edward's lost love fuels his desire for revenge.
- [XXXI: Why Don’t You Trust Me?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxi-why-don-t-you-trust-me): Laura's love is tested by John's confession; the chapter explores the tension between love and moral integrity.
- [On His Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxii-on-his-defence): Laura's unwavering support for John despite his confession highlights the theme of marital loyalty and the complexities of their union.
- [At the Morgue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxiii-at-the-morgue): John's remorse over his marriage to Zaïre, contrasting with his devotion to Laura.
- [George Gerard in Danger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxiv-george-gerard-in-danger): Celia's reflections on marriage and her growing fondness for Gerard suggest romantic tension, though constrained by financial considerations.
- [The Tenant from Beechampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-tenant-from-beechampton): Laura's love for John is unwavering; she is willing to face poverty and disgrace rather than lose him. The Vicar's horror at John's marriage to a French dancer highlights class and social prejudices.
- [Celia's Lovers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxviii-celia-s-lovers): Explored through John's letter confirming the validity of his marriage to Laura, Tom Sampson's proposal to Celia, and Celia's romantic interest in Mr. Gerard.
- [On Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/xxxix-on-suspicion): Laura's unwavering support for John despite the grave charges highlights the strength of their marital bond in the face of adversity.
- [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cloven_foot_se/chapters/epilogue): The engagement of George Gerard and Celia Clare, and the happy marriage of John and Laura, highlight the theme of love culminating in marriage.

## Links

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