Deception and Self-Deception

Where it surfaces

• Prologue

  Ivy's manipulative charm and the differing perceptions of her character among the guests highlight themes of deception and self-deception.

• I

  Ivy deceives herself about her feelings for Roger and dismisses Mrs. Thrawn's warnings, while maintaining a facade of wealth to her friends.

• III

  Rushworth deceives himself into believing he can resist Ivy and still marry Bella, while Ivy hides her jealousy and manipulative intentions.

• IV

  Ivy's manipulative responses and Rushworth's rationalization of his passion as 'exalted and spiritual' reveal layers of self-deception.

• V

  Ivy deceives both Gretorex and Jervis, while deluding herself about her motives and future.

• VI

  Ivy deceives Gretorex about Jervis's illness and her feelings for Rushworth; she also deceives herself about her motives. Gretorex's letter reveals his self-deception about Ivy's purity.

• VII

  Ivy deceives Nurse Bradfield and herself about her role in Jervis's death, rationalizing her actions and feeling relief rather than guilt.

• Chapter VIII

  Ivy deceives herself about her own emotions and the events surrounding Jervis's death, while also attempting to deceive Dr. Berwick about her knowledge and involvement.

• IX

  Gretorex deceives himself about Ivy's purity and prepares a false story, while Mrs. Huntley agrees to lie for him.

• X

  Gretorex lies to Orpington about his knowledge and actions; Orpington questions Ivy's truthfulness.

• XI

  Roger deceives himself about the simplicity of the mystery; Ivy's portrait in the paper symbolizes the deceptive allure of appearances.

• XII

  Ivy deliberately misleads Orpington about Gretorex's role, yet she also deceives herself about the safety of her plan.

• XIII

  Mrs. Gretorex insists on Roger's innocence while fearing his danger; Ivy hides her relief at the money and her unease with Mr. Oram.

• XIV

  Ivy deceives herself and others about her role in Jervis's death, while Paxton-Smith accepts her half-truths as the whole story.

• XV

  Ivy carefully constructs her testimony, omitting and equivocating to protect herself, while also deceiving herself about her past feelings for Gretorex.

• XVI

  Sir Joseph Molloy's gentle cross-examination is a deliberate deception to honor Gretorex's wish, while Gretorex's claim of innocence may be self-deception or truth.

• XVII

  Finch suggests Ivy Lexton may be deceiving the court by shielding a murderer, and Enid suspects Roger is deceiving everyone by not testifying.

• XVIII

  Ivy deceives herself about her own feelings and manipulates others with tears, while Enid suspects Ivy is shielding the real murderer.

• XIX

  Mrs. Huntley's hidden knowledge and the letters reveal layers of deception surrounding Ivy Lexton's actions.

• XX

  Ivy Lexton's perjury and hidden letters reveal deep deception, while the inspector realizes he was misled.

• XXI

  Ivy deceives herself about her own guilt, weeping for herself rather than for Roger, and hoping he will die silent.

• XXII

  Rushworth deceives himself about Ivy's innocence, and Ivy's own deception is hinted at as she faces the charges.

• Epilogue

  Ivy's frantic attempt to retrieve the stolen bolster bag reveals her continued attachment to the illicit 'stuff,' showing her self-deception about escaping her past.