The Essex Serpent

Naomi remembers Joanna’s invocation to spring. She draws sea serpents in charcoal on her schoolwork. One night, she goes out searching for her father and enters a pub. Inside, the men examine her and “is all at once aware that something is very wrong” (138). That night, Matthew Evansford paints chicken blood on the doors in Aldwinter to ward off the Essex Serpent. Cora feels as though she belongs in Essex and finds a lump of amber on a shore. She visits Will regularly in his study. They discuss natural phenomena and argue with one another about “faith and reason” (139); both are astonished to discover that they are friends, rather than enemies. Stella is unconcerned by their close friendship but is still affected by her flu.

Garrett has become a celebrity, though is “in disgrace with his seniors” (140). However, he remains poor and regrets that his patient’s wound had no truly penetrated the heart, meaning that his achievement is not “much of an achievement at all” (140). He worries that he has become sidelined in Cora’s estimations. He exchanges looks with Martha; both are confused by Cora’s friendship with Will. Spencer has become obsessed by social housing. Cracknell keeps a candle burning in his window to ward off the Serpent.

Will meets Francis while out walking. Francis asks the vicar about “sin”; Francis has counted each mention of the word in Will’s weekly sermons. They throw rocks at the skeleton of a rotting ship—nicknamed Leviathan—to illustrate that “to sin is to try, but fall short” (143). Francis’ questions become more profound until he is satisfied. He thanks Will, shakes the vicar’s hand, and then the two walk home.

Joanna’s friendship with Martha has spurred her intellectualism. Naomi feels their friendship becoming more strained and resents Martha. One day, Cora gives a talk to the class. She tells them that “all the earth was a graveyard with gods and monsters under their feet” (146). When the children ask questions, the topic eventually turns to the Blackwater. Cora flouts Will’s request not to put “ideas in their heads” (147) and says that there may be ancient animals still alive today. Then, Cora sets the class a challenge. Whoever paints the best picture will win a prize from her. Naomi, full of resentment that Cora seems to have stolen Joanna away from her, spills a glass and convinces herself that the Serpent is coming. The sensation spreads quickly through the children and the class erupts in hysterics, so much so that one girl falls and hurts her wrist.

Cora writes to Garrett, mentioning that “something went through the children here as fast as fire” (151). She describes it as “something in the mind, and down they all went like dominoes” (151). Garrett replies and says he will visit Aldwinter soon. Spencer writes to Martha about his growing political activism. Garrett travels to Aldwinter, thinking about Cora and worrying that Will is a romantic rival. Cora awaits his arrival, concerned about the effect she had on the children. Joanna no longer wants to be alone and has not laughed since. Later that week, Garrett places Joanna under hypnosis to shed light on “the Laughing Incident” (155). The adults have questioned the children in the aftermath, and though they have found nothing, Garrett, the “London physician” (156), believes that “there’ll be something at the heart of the matter—a shared memory or fear” (156).

Garrett hypnotizes Joanna. She is lulled to sleep and awakes when Will bursts angrily through the door. He has felt his envies stirred by Garrett’s presence. The two men briefly tussle; Joanna wakes; Cora splits apart Will and Garrett. Will exits with his wife and daughter, “not sparing a glance for Cora” (160). Martha announces that “no good ever came of leaving London” (160).

Burton, the man Garrett saved via surgery, is visited by Martha for the third time. Martha knows Burton’s nurse through her political connections and she finds him to be “peaceful” (162) company. Martha has plans afoot, and Burton bemoans that his medical condition prevents him from helping. As Martha is about to leave, Burton points at his wound and says “I deserved it, you know” (163). Before the attack, he had been a far more outgoing man. Some of his comments—“just teasing” (164), he insists—were taken badly by a man named Hall. Burton has been something of a bully to Hall; when he interfered with Hall’s romantic life, Hall had stabbed him and ran away. Burton’s shame is evident, and Martha shares a story of her own: She knows that she is manipulating Spender’s romantic interest in her for political ends. He kisses her on the cheek and asks that she visit again soon.

Cora returns to Colchester and sits down beside Taylor; they have “a great deal to discuss” (167). Cora believes that all of Aldwinter is haunted, but that “they’re haunting themselves” (168). She reads a newspaper article about weather phenomena resulting from the Krakatoa eruption and mentions the “phantom barge in the Essex sky” (168). Charles and Katherine arrive. Charles has heard from Will and Cora is “in disgrace” (169). He chastises her for her actions and Cora is sad. They retire to a pub to discuss Stella, who cannot shake her flu. She considers asking Garrett about Stella and promises to write to Will. When Cora does write to Will, she refuses to apologize. Will replies in a formal letter, stating that “naturally you are forgiven” (173).