There are some pretty shameless liars in Splendors and Glooms, especially Grisini and Cassandra. They're both such lying, deceitful people that they even set out to trick innocent children. Grisini is always doing something evil—like turning kids into puppets and holding them for ransom—and lying to the whole wide world about it. Cassandra is so desperate to get the phoenix-stone off her hands that she lies to the children about all the wonderful things it will bring them, conveniently leaving out the part where everyone who owns the stone ends up burning to death. What a couple of jerks.
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- Why doesn't Clara tell anyone about why she didn't eat the watercress when all of her other siblings did?
- How do Cassandra and Grisini conspire to trick the children into coming to Strachan's Ghyll? Do they lie to each other in the process? What does this reveal about their relationship?
- What is Grisini's plan for getting the phoenix-stone for himself?
- Why is Parsefall so nervous when the police show up on the night Clara goes missing?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
In this book, lies are primarily used to harm others.
In this book, lies are primarily used for self-protection.