# Family and Orphanhood in The Maid of Sker

> Theme guide for The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

Bardie's status as a shipwrecked orphan, her longing for her lost parents, and the various surrogate families that form around her highlight themes of loss, belonging, and the search for familial connection in a harsh world.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Maid of Sker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/the-maid-of-sker): Bardie's orphaned status and her relationship with Davy highlight themes of belonging and care.
- [Hunger Drives Him A-Fishing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/ii-hunger-drives-him-a-fishing): Davy's grief over losing his wife and son, and his responsibility for his orphaned granddaughter Bunny, drive the chapter's emotional core.
- [The Fish Are as Hungry as He Is](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/iii-the-fish-are-as-hungry-as-he-is): Davy's concern for Bunny and his lonely cottage life underscores his role as a caretaker and his own orphaned state.
- [He Lands an Unexpected Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/iv-he-lands-an-unexpected-fish): The appearance of a lone infant adrift at sea introduces themes of abandonment and the creation of an unconventional family bond.
- [V: A Little Orphan Mermaid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/v-a-little-orphan-mermaid): Bardie is orphaned by shipwreck, and Davy becomes her reluctant caretaker, reflecting on family loss and responsibility.
- [Finds a Home of Some Sort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/vi-finds-a-home-of-some-sort): Bardie, an orphan from the sea, is taken in by Davy and Moxy, highlighting themes of makeshift family and care for the abandoned.
- [VIII: Children Will Be Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/viii-children-will-be-children): Bardie's separation from her family and her longing for her parents, contrasted with Davy's paternal concern and the Thomas family's makeshift care.
- [Under the Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/x-under-the-rock): Davy's concern for Bardie and Bunny, and his memory of his dead son Harry, emphasize themes of family, care, and loss.
- [XI: A Wrecker Wrecked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xi-a-wrecker-wrecked): Davy cares for Bardie and Bunny as surrogate family, while Watkin fears the loss of his brothers.
- [In Accordance with the Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xiv-in-accordance-with-the-evidence): Bardie's vulnerability as an orphan is central; Davy acts as her protector, and the dead baby is speculated to be her twin brother.
- [For a Little Change of Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xvii-for-a-little-change-of-air): Davy's decision to keep Bardie reflects a makeshift family bond, as Bardie longs for her parents and brother.
- [XVIII: Public Approbation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xviii-public-approbation): Davy's tender care for Bardie, including her bedtime prayers, underscores the theme of found family and the innocence of the orphaned child.
- [Confidential Intercourse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xx-confidential-intercourse): Bardie's separation from her family and her longing for her mother and brother are central, as she confides in her doll.
- [Another Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxii-another-disappointment): Davy cares for Bunny and Bardie as an 'ancient widower,' and Sir Philip's gift is meant for the orphaned maid, emphasizing the theme of orphanhood and care.
- [Into Good Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxiii-into-good-society): Bardie is an orphan who declares she has no relations, and Lady Bluett's lost child creates a bond of sympathy.
- [Sound Investments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxiv-sound-investments): Bardie and Bunny are orphans under Davy's care; the chapter explores surrogate family dynamics and the responsibilities of guardianship.
- [XXXIII: In a State of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-a-state-of-nature): Chowne's early life marked by betrayal by guardians, stepmother, and uncle; loss of a beloved cousin; and three childless marriages.
- [Two Poor Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-poor-children): Drake Bampfylde, as a younger son, is disadvantaged by birth order and suffers from lack of familial support, while Bardie is a poor child eliciting pity.
- [A Fine Old Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-fine-old-gentleman): Davy's fond memories of Bardie and his concern for Bunny reflect themes of orphanhood and surrogate family bonds.
- [Forcible Ejectment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xl-forcible-ejectment): Davy's deep concern for Bardie and Bunny, who are neglected and underfed, drives his actions.
- [The Little Maid, and the Midshipman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlii-the-little-maid-and-the-midshipman): Davy cares for Bardie and Bunny, while Rodney's family (his uncle and mother) are involved in his naval aspirations.
- [XLIII: A Fine Price for Bardie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliii-a-fine-price-for-bardie): The backstory of Rees ap Rees and his orphaned nieces underscores themes of familial estrangement, loss, and the vulnerability of children.
- [Provides for Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliv-provides-for-education): Davy provides for Bunny and Bardie, both orphans, ensuring their education and welfare before his departure.
- [After Seven Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlvi-after-seven-years): The Captain's anguish over his brother's betrayal and Heaviside's domestic struggles highlight themes of family bonds and their failures.
- [Mischief in a Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlvii-mischief-in-a-household): The chapter explores the strained relationship between Sir Philip and his son Squire Philip, as well as Isabel's departure from the household, emphasizing familial bonds and their fractures.
- [One Who Has Interred Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlix-one-who-has-interred-himself): Sir Philip's emotional response to the tokens of his son underscores themes of family loss and paternal grief.
- [A Brave Man Runs Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/l-a-brave-man-runs-away): Davy's reunion with his granddaughter Bunny and his concern for the two poor little children he intended to investigate underscore the importance of family bonds and the vulnerability of orphans.
- [Triple Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/li-triple-education): Bardie's orphanhood is central: she longs for a home and parents, and is dependent on the charity of others, which causes her both gratitude and shame.
- [Great March of Intellect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lii-great-march-of-intellect): Bardie's growing awareness of her orphaned state and her search for belonging among her suitors.
- [Many Weak Moments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lvii-many-weak-moments): Bardie's devoted care for Davy highlights a surrogate family bond; the Maid of Sker's mysterious identity underscores orphanhood.
- [In a Rocky Bower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lix-in-a-rocky-bower): Bardie's nameless origin and her fear of being scorned due to her derelict birth are central to her character's conflict.
- [LXI: A Savage Deed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxi-a-savage-deed): The kidnapping of Sir Philip Bampfylde's grandchildren disrupts their family; Harry Savage grows up unaware of his true identity.
- [LXII: A Rash Young Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxii-a-rash-young-captain): Davy's mission to restore Sir Philip Bampfylde's family and Bardie's rightful place underscores the theme.
- [LXIV: Susan Quite Acquits Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxiv-susan-quite-acquits-herself): The disappearance of the twin children and the subsequent collapse of the family, with Squire Philip retreating into grief.
- [LXVI: The Maid at Last Is 'Dentified'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxvi-the-maid-at-last-is-dentified): The central theme of the chapter: the restoration of a lost granddaughter to her family, resolving years of separation and uncertainty.
- [The Old Pitcher at the Well Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxviii-the-old-pitcher-at-the-well-again): Chowne's gypsy origins and his attack on his grandfather underscore broken family ties; Sir Philip's death affects the Bampfylde lineage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/themes/family_and_orphanhood
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/themes