# Morality and Hypocrisy in The Maid of Sker

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

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.

## Where it surfaces

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/epigraph): 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): Davy wrestles with his conscience about taking in Bardie, weighing prudence against compassion, and later regrets not trusting Providence.
- [Boat Versus Bardie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/vii-boat-versus-bardie): Davy attends church to maintain appearances and avoid suspicion, despite his questionable acquisition of the boat and his self-serving justifications.
- [Under the Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/x-under-the-rock): 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): Evan Thomas's greed and drunkenness contrast with Davy's moral reluctance to participate in wrecking, highlighting hypocrisy in the community.
- [How to Sell Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xii-how-to-sell-fish): 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.
- [A Verdict on the Jury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xv-a-verdict-on-the-jury): 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): 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.
- [XVIII: Public Approbation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xviii-public-approbation): The sanctimonious tone of the second account, which Davy attributes to Hezekiah Perkins, exposes religious hypocrisy and false piety.
- [XIX: A Craft Beyond the Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xix-a-craft-beyond-the-law): Davy manipulates witnesses and bribes them with beer and money to secure his claim, while simultaneously professing a love of legality and honesty.
- [XXI: Cross-Examination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxi-cross-examination): Davy presents himself as a moral man wronged by the system, but his past violence (breaking heads) and Stew's corrupt dealings suggest hypocrisy on both sides.
- [Sound Investments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxiv-sound-investments): Davy rationalizes his control over the children's money, claiming self-denial while asserting ownership by virtue of rescue and kinship.
- [A Fine Spectacle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxvii-a-fine-spectacle): The parsons' hunting and wrestling lifestyles contrast with their clerical roles, suggesting hypocrisy.
- [XXVIII: Something About Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxviii-something-about-him): Parson Chowne, a clergyman, is depicted as a violent, law-breaking tyrant who uses his knowledge of the law to dominate others, exposing the hypocrisy of religious authority.
- [A Visit to a Parson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxix-a-visit-to-a-parson): Parson Chowne, a religious figure, engages in underhanded spying and manipulation, while Davy struggles with the morality of the task despite agreeing to it.
- [XXX: On Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxx-on-duty): Davy reflects on his own honesty and duty while spying on Narnton Court, and criticizes the hypocrisy of the gentry who abandon Christianity for pagan statues.
- [XXXII: Among the Savages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxii-among-the-savages): Davy struggles between his sense of honour and his duty to his employer, while Parson Chowne dismisses chivalry and honesty as luxuries for the rich, revealing a hypocritical moral code.
- [XXXIII: In a State of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-a-state-of-nature): Parson Chowne's clerical role contrasts with his violent temper, lack of preaching, and reputation for witchcraft; Parson Jack is described as well-meaning but corrupted.
- [Waiting and Learning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxiv-waiting-and-learning): Parson Chowne enjoys burning enemies' property but fears fire near his own; Davy contrasts his own motives with Chowne's assumptions.
- [The Polite Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxv-the-polite-ferryman): Davy's self-justification of his honesty while engaging in dubious activities, and Parson Chowne's violent hypocrisy.
- [Under Fairer Auspices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxvi-under-fairer-auspices): Parson Chowne is depicted as a hypocritical clergyman who uses his position for vengeance and neglects his duties, contrasting with the bishop's attempt to intervene.
- [Two Poor Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-poor-children): The narrator critiques Nonconformists as disturbers and blasphemers, while also reflecting on his own flirtations and the double standards of society.
- [A Fine Old Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-fine-old-gentleman): Sir Philip's defense of Stoyle Chowne despite warnings suggests a tension between moral reputation and actual behavior, questioning the hypocrisy of those in power.
- [Notice to Quit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxix-notice-to-quit): Davy contrasts his own conscientiousness with Parson Chowne's unholy actions and contempt for religious cant, highlighting hypocrisy in the clergy.
- [Forcible Ejectment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xl-forcible-ejectment): Davy justifies arson as righteous revenge against Parson Chowne's hypocrisy, while Isabel Carey celebrates the destruction.
- [XLI: The Right Man in the Right Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xli-the-right-man-in-the-right-place): Davy's self-righteousness about his motives and his manipulation of Heaviside, contrasting with his moral claims.
- [XLIII: A Fine Price for Bardie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliii-a-fine-price-for-bardie): Hezekiah uses religious language and feigned piety to justify a fraudulent plot, contrasting his outward devotion with his immoral intentions.
- [Provides for Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliv-provides-for-education): Davy's confrontation with Justice Stew reveals the hypocrisy and corruption in local justice, while Davy himself navigates moral compromises.
- [Mischief in a Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlvii-mischief-in-a-household): Parson Chowne, a clergyman, engages in psychological manipulation and spreads discord, highlighting the hypocrisy of those in religious authority.
- [Great March of Intellect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lii-great-march-of-intellect): Davy's violent response to dissenters and his self-justification, alongside the hypocrisy of religious fervor mixed with atheistic ideas.
- [Beating Up for the Navy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/liii-beating-up-for-the-navy): Davy justifies impressing Parson Chowne's savages as a 'great mercy' and duty, despite acknowledging the act's questionable legality and his own past grievances with Chowne.
- [Taming of the Savages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/liv-taming-of-the-savages): Davy reflects on the moral implications of his methods, showing compassion for Hezekiah despite his hypocrisy, and questions whether civilizing the savages might spoil them for their station.
- [LV: Upon Foreign Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lv-upon-foreign-service): Davy critiques the upper class's secrecy and hypocrisy in marriage, contrasting it with his own straightforward views.
- [Exiles of Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lvi-exiles-of-society): Parson Chowne's cruel and hypocritical behavior toward the landlady contrasts with his clerical role.
- [Many Weak Moments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lvii-many-weak-moments): Jack Wildman's belief that rich men go to hell challenges Sir Philip's moral assumptions and societal hypocrisy.
- [Nelson and the Nile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lx-nelson-and-the-nile): Davy reflects on the moral gravity of battle, the silence after the explosion, and his own readiness for death, contrasting the violence with moments of introspection.
- [LXI: A Savage Deed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxi-a-savage-deed): Parson Chouane, a religious figure, orchestrates a child kidnapping, highlighting moral hypocrisy.
- [LXIV: Susan Quite Acquits Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxiv-susan-quite-acquits-herself): The accusations against Drake Bampfylde highlight moral failings and the hypocrisy of those who judge based on motive and circumstance.
- [LXV: So Does Poor Old Davy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxv-so-does-poor-old-davy): Colonel Lougher's initial accusation and subsequent apology, along with Davy's magnanimous refusal to accept the apology, explore moral integrity and hypocrisy.
- [Dog Eats Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxvii-dog-eats-dog): Parson Chowne's slander and cruelty contrast with his clerical role, highlighting hypocrisy.
- [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 villainy and imposture are punished by divine justice; Parson Rambone's guilt and reform highlight moral reckoning.

## Links

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