The theme of devotion pops up mostly in two characters: Winnie Verloc and her mother. Both these women show a very deep devotion to Stevie, but its important not to confuse their loyalty with Stevie's compassion. Stevie's compassion comes from a really deep emotional connection with the world, while Winnie and her mothers protective attitude toward him is more like a sense of duty or an ongoing project.
Questions About Loyalty (Devotion)
- What is the basis of Winnie's devotion to Stevie? How is her devotion and loyalty different from Stevie's compassion? Use examples from the text to support your answer.
- What pushes Winnie over the edge and makes her kill Verloc? What is the specific train of thought that goes through her mind after she hears about Stevie's death?
- How is Winnie's devotion to Stevie similar to or different from her mother's? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Winnie's devotion to Stevie gets in the way of her relationship with Mr. Verloc, preventing her from being a good wife.
Ultimately, Winnie's tendency to not look too deeply into things makes her directly responsible for Stevie's death.