# Identity and Secrecy in The Middle of Things

> Theme guide for The Middle of Things by J. S. Fletcher.

Central to the plot are hidden identities, lost heirs, and long-buried secrets, such as the disappearance of Lord Marketstoke and the true lineage of Miss Wickham, driving the mystery and legal intrigue.

## Where it surfaces

- [II: Number Seven in the Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/ii-number-seven-in-the-square): Ashton's household admits they know little about him, hinting at hidden aspects of his past and identity.
- [III: Who Was Mr. Ashton?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/iii-who-was-mr-ashton): The chapter centers on the mystery of Mr. Ashton's identity, as both Miss Wickham and Mrs. Killenhall admit they know almost nothing about him, despite living under his roof.
- [The Ring and the Knife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/iv-the-ring-and-the-knife): Hyde's refusal to reveal his name and his eventual recognition by Viner highlight the theme of hidden identity and the secrets of the past.
- [VI: Speculations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/vi-speculations): Miss Wickham's lack of identifying papers and Ashton's secretive nature highlight the theme of hidden identities and unknown pasts.
- [IX: Looking Backward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/ix-looking-backward): The central mystery of whether John Ashton is actually the long-lost Lord Marketstoke, and the secrecy surrounding the disappearance of the heir.
- [X: The Parish Register](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/x-the-parish-register): The chapter revolves around the possibility that John Ashton was secretly the missing Lord Marketstoke, living under an assumed name for decades, and the clues that suggest a hidden identity.
- [XI: What Happened in Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xi-what-happened-in-paris): The muffled man's concealed identity and the mystery surrounding Ashton's past underscore themes of hidden identities and secrets.
- [The Japanese Cabinet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xiii-the-japanese-cabinet): The anonymous man at the inn and the secret-opening cabinet highlight hidden identities and concealed information.
- [XIV: The Ellingham Motto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xiv-the-ellingham-motto): The chapter reveals that Avice Wickham may be the rightful Countess of Ellingham, a secret known only to Ashton and now pursued by Viner and Pawle.
- [The Present Holder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xv-the-present-holder): The chapter revolves around the secret papers of Lord Marketstoke and the hidden identity of the clean-shaven man, underscoring the theme of concealed truths.
- [XVII: The Claimant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xvii-the-claimant): The claimant's use of the alias 'Cave' and his claim to be the long-lost Lord Marketstoke highlight the theme of hidden identity and the secrets of the past.
- [XVIII: Let Him Appear!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xviii-let-him-appear): The central conflict revolves around proving or disproving the claimant's identity as the missing Lord Marketstoke, with documents and memory as key evidence.
- [XIX: Under Examination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xix-under-examination): The chapter revolves around uncovering the true identity of Miss Wickham's father and the secret of the missing Lord Marketstoke.
- [XX: Surprising Readiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xx-surprising-readiness): The claimant's missing finger and his claim to be Lord Marketstoke raise questions about true identity and possible conspiracy.
- [XXI: The Marseilles Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxi-the-marseilles-meeting): Lord Marketstoke's hidden identity as Wickham in Australia, and the secret kept by Ashton and another man, are central to the chapter.
- [On Remand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxii-on-remand): Hyde's identification of the claimant as a man from his past, and the claimant's admission of his true identity as Lord Marketstoke, underscore the theme of hidden identities and the secrets that characters keep.
- [XXIII: Is This Man Right?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxiii-is-this-man-right): The witness claims to be the long-lost Lord Marketstoke, having hidden his identity for decades under the name Wickham.
- [XXIV: The Broken Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxiv-the-broken-letter): Mr. Cave's true identity as a potential claimant to the Ellingham title is central, and the mysterious woman's role underscores the theme of hidden identities.
- [XXV: Through the Telephone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxv-through-the-telephone): The central question of whether Cave is an impostor or Nugent Starr drives the chapter, with characters doubting who is who.
- [XXVI: The Dismal Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxvi-the-dismal-street): Mr. Cave's true identity is under suspicion, and his secretive movements lead to a hidden surgery in a squalid street.
- [The Back Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxvii-the-back-way): Viner suspects Dr. Martincole leads a double life, and Mrs. Killenhall's veiled attendance at court suggests hidden motives.
- [XXIX: Who Is to Tell Her?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxix-who-is-to-tell-her): Avice Wickham's true identity as the Countess of Ellingham is uncovered through the recovered documents.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/themes/identity_and_secrecy
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/themes