Plot summary for Mary Barton, chapters 19-34

Read chapters 15-18 and 35-38 very closely. However, you may skim or skip the intervening chapters. You are certainly encouraged to read them, but there is nothing in them directly related to the themes we are discussing in class. Rather, these chapters are primarily about the aftermath of the murder and Jem’s trial. Here’s a brief summary, in case you choose to skip directly from chapter 18 to chapter 35:

After the coroner’s inquest, there is an investigation and Jem Wilson is arrested for the murder. The key development is that a disguised policeman tricks Jem’s mother into identifying the murder weapon as belonging to Jem (chap. 19). Esther discovers further evidence, which also seems to implicate Jem. She reveals herself to Mary in order to give the evidence to her (chaps. 20-21). Mary realizes that the item that Esther found actually implicates her father, who she knows now to be the murderer. She also learns that Jem has an alibi: he was with Will Wilson at the time of the murder (chap. 22).

Mary is subpoenaed to give evidence at the trial, which will be held in Liverpool (chaps. 23, 26). Everyone expects to find Will in Liverpool, where he will provide Jem’s alibi. Unfortunately, Will’s ship – who doesn’t know he is needed to testify – set sail shortly before Mary’s arrival (chap. 26). A desperate pursuit begins, and is successful. Will’s ship is intercepted, and he returns to Liverpool (chap. 28), appearing just in the nick of time to provide an alibi. Jem is found Not Guilty (chap. 32).

Mary, however, becomes seriously ill and is on the verge of death. Job Legh remains in Liverpool with her, while Jem and Will return to Manchester where Alice Wilson dies. Jem then returns to Liverpool for Mary, who is now well enough to travel (chap. 33). Mary recovers. Her father reappears. Jem decides to move to Canada with Mary (chap. 34).