# Fear and Suspicion in The Lodger

> Theme guide for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

The narrative is saturated with the Buntings' growing dread and paranoia as they watch the lodger's nocturnal movements, find bloodstains, and listen to news of the murders, creating a tense atmosphere where domestic life becomes a site of horror.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Lodger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/the-lodger): The Buntings' growing unease about their lodger and the widespread terror of the Avenger murders permeate the chapter.
- [The Arrival of the Lodger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/ii): Mrs. Bunting's nervousness at the door, the stranger's sharp reaction to the open door and Bunting's cough, and his anxious concern for his bag all underscore a pervasive atmosphere of mistrust and unease.
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/iii): Mrs. Bunting is disturbed by the lodger's actions and the ominous Bible verses he recites.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/iv): Mrs. Bunting's growing unease about the lodger's behavior and the bag's disappearance, set against the backdrop of the Avenger murders.
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/v): Chandler's terror and the police's nerves reflect the pervasive fear of the Avenger; Mrs. Bunting's relief at the murder news (not about Bunting) shows moral unease.
- [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/vi): Mrs. Bunting's growing anxiety about the lodger's nighttime activities and her secret checking of the newspaper reflect the pervasive fear and suspicion surrounding the Avenger murders.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/vii): Mrs. Bunting's hysterical reaction to the murder news and her furtive glances at her husband highlight the pervasive fear gripping the household.
- [The Black Museum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/ix): Daisy's fear of encountering a murderer and the discussion of the Avenger's elusiveness highlight the pervasive suspicion in society.
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/x): The chapter is saturated with Mrs. Bunting's fear and suspicion as she searches for evidence and dreads the lodger's reaction, reflecting the pervasive atmosphere of the Avenger murders.
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xi): Mrs. Bunting's terror at the mention of bloodhounds, her defensive posture at the door, and the household's constant talk of the Avenger reflect pervasive fear and suspicion.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xii): Mrs. Bunting is haunted by Mr. Sleuth's strange behavior and the possibility that he is the Avenger, causing her to listen fearfully at night.
- [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xiii): Mrs. Bunting's terror is palpable as she listens for Mr. Sleuth's movements, fears his night wanderings, and tries to prevent him from going out into the fog.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xiv): Mrs. Bunting's growing unease and secret listening, along with Bunting's warnings about the Avenger, heighten the atmosphere of fear and suspicion.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xv): Mrs. Bunting's growing dread and suspicion of the lodger are palpable as she investigates the smell and hears the murder news.
- [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xvi): Mrs. Bunting's terror of the lodger and her suspicion of his guilt dominate the chapter, as she bolts the kitchen door and feels locked in with an invisible presence.
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xvii): Bunting's unease about his wife's changed behavior and her morbid interest in the murders reflects the atmosphere of suspicion in the household.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xviii): The chapter is steeped in Mrs. Bunting's fear and suspicion regarding the lodger, as she attends the inquest to hear descriptions of The Avenger, hoping to confirm her dread.
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xix): Mrs. Bunting's terror and the court's tense atmosphere reflect the pervasive fear of The Avenger.
- [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xx): Mrs. Bunting is consumed by fear of the Avenger and suspicion of Mr. Sleuth, listening for his nightly movements.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxi): Bunting's growing dread and the couple's silent, sleepless night highlight the atmosphere of mistrust and terror.
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxii): Mrs. Bunting's growing anxiety and the household's secretive reactions to the Avenger investigation highlight pervasive fear and suspicion.
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxiii): Bunting's trembling hand and sinking feeling as he reads the rubber sole clue, and Mrs. Bunting's obliviousness to her husband's growing suspicion, highlight the pervasive fear and mistrust within the household.
- [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxiv): Bunting is paralyzed by fear and suspicion, unable to act on his certainty about the lodger's guilt due to dread of the consequences.
- [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxv): Bunting's terror and the shared, unspoken knowledge between him and Ellen dominate the chapter, highlighting the corrosive effect of suspicion.
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxvi): Mrs. Bunting's growing dread as Sir John Burney describes the escaped lunatic; Mr. Sleuth's paranoid reaction to being discovered.
- [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxvii): Mrs. Bunting lives in constant fear of the lodger's return and the truth being discovered; the household is tense and uneasy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/themes/fear_and_suspicion
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lodger_se/themes