Betteredge Fights Sergeant Cuff

In the tenth serial publication of The Moonstone the suspicion of Rachel and Rosanna is brought to the surface which results in an aggressive outburst from Betteredge. The fact that Sergeant Cuff was willing to accuse Rachel was taken as an insult by Betteredge who responds with “Please to remember, as some excuse for my breaking out as I did, that I had served the family for fifty years. Miss Rachel had climbed upon my knees, and pulled my whiskers, many and many a time when she was a child. Miss Rachel with all her faults, had been, to my mind, the dearest and prettiest and best young mistress that ever an old servant waited on, and loved.” (133). It interesting that Betteredge takes this as such an insult as Rachel holds a certain amount of privilege because of her status as an upper-class lady.

The idea of ideology and domination here is interesting as Betteredge holds a lower place in the social hierarchy here than Cuff but physically attacks him because he threatens Rachel’s reputation and standing. From the picture though, it is clear that Cuff is still in a position of power as he stands tall and confident and his status is reflected in his suit. Where Betteredge, although holding Cuff against the wall is portrayed as shorter and not as put together. As the narration continues it is clear that Betteredge recognizes his misstep and returns the power to Cuff as he states that “I begged Sergeant Cuff’s pardon, but I am afraid I did it with watery eyes, and not in a very becoming way” (133). From the images, it is clear that even in the United States there is a dominant ideology that is in place that gives certain individuals more power over others.

Works Cited

Collins, Wilkie. “Chapter XVI” The Moonstone. Oxford University Press, 2008. 132-140. Print.