# Scandal and Reputation in The Perfume of Eros

> Theme guide for The Perfume of Eros by Edgar Saltus.

The fear of social disgrace drives characters' actions, from Marie's shame at being a kept woman to Fanny's mother's obsession with appearances, and the public's fascination with Loftus's murder reveals how reputation can be destroyed overnight.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Facts in the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/the-facts-in-the-case): The murder and trial become a public scandal, affecting reputations.
- [VI: The Yellow Fay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/vi-the-yellow-fay): Annandale's drunken behavior and subsequent memory loss threaten his reputation and lead to the end of his engagement.
- [The General Sessions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/the-general-sessions): The trial is a public spectacle that threatens to ruin Annandale's reputation and expose the private scandals of the upper class.
- [V: Exit Fanny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/v-exit-fanny): The murder of Loftus and the potential involvement of Annandale threaten to create a public scandal.
- [VI: What the Papers Said](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/vi-what-the-papers-said): The Loftus family fears a blot on their escutcheon, preferring a robbery theory to avoid disgrace.
- [Held Without Bail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/vii-held-without-bail): The scandal of Loftus's murder and Fanny's involvement affects public opinion and social standing, with the worldly forgiving Fanny only after her death.
- [VIII: The Defendant to the Bar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/viii-the-defendant-to-the-bar): The trial is a public spectacle, with the defendant's reputation and the scandal of the murder dominating the proceedings.
- [IX: The Twelfth Juror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/ix-the-twelfth-juror): The trial is a public spectacle, with crowds fighting for admission, and the proceedings are marked by sensationalism. Annandale's reputation is at stake, and the defense seeks to clear his name.
- [X: The Verdict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/x-the-verdict): The revelation of Marie's identity connects to the past scandal of the trial, and Sylvia's verdict reflects on the social judgment of Marie's actions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/themes/scandal_and_reputation
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/themes