# How does The Maid of Sker develop the theme of Morality and Hypocrisy?

> The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore

## Answer

The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore develops Morality and Hypocrisy across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The book examines moral ambiguity through characters like Parson Chowne (a violent clergyman) and Davy himself, who justifies theft and deception while claiming virtue, exposing the gap between professed ethics and actual behavior.

The epigraph's image of harboring a serpent suggests hidden treachery and moral hypocrisy.

Davy wrestles with his conscience about taking in Bardie, weighing prudence against compassion, and later regrets not trusting Providence.

Davy attends church to maintain appearances and avoid suspicion, despite his questionable acquisition of the boat and his self-serving justifications.

## Evidence

- [epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph's image of harboring a serpent suggests hidden treachery and moral hypocrisy.
- [v-a-little-orphan-mermaid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/v-a-little-orphan-mermaid.md): Davy wrestles with his conscience about taking in Bardie, weighing prudence against compassion, and later regrets not trusting Providence.
- [vii-boat-versus-bardie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/vii-boat-versus-bardie.md): Davy attends church to maintain appearances and avoid suspicion, despite his questionable acquisition of the boat and his self-serving justifications.
- [x-under-the-rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/x-under-the-rock.md): Davy's self-proclaimed Christianity is undercut by his racist views and his concern for salvage over human life, highlighting the hypocrisy of his moral stance.
- [xi-a-wrecker-wrecked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xi-a-wrecker-wrecked.md): Evan Thomas's greed and drunkenness contrast with Davy's moral reluctance to participate in wrecking, highlighting hypocrisy in the community.
- [xii-how-to-sell-fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xii-how-to-sell-fish.md): Davy's deceptive methods for selling fish, such as propping up eyes with ray spines, highlight the moral compromises made for profit, while he justifies his actions as necessary in a dishonest trade.
- [xv-a-verdict-on-the-jury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xv-a-verdict-on-the-jury.md): The jury's indulgence in drink and tobacco while deliberating a tragic death, and their quick verdict to appease Evan Thomas, highlights moral hypocrisy.
- [xvi-truth-lies-sometimes-in-a-well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xvi-truth-lies-sometimes-in-a-well.md): Hezekiah's religious pretensions and his scheme for profit contrast with his claims of doing good, highlighting hypocrisy. Davy's internal conflict about partnership also touches on moral boundaries.

## Links

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