Who Lizzie Hexam is
Lizzie Hexam works beside her father, Gaffer Hexam, on the Thames at night. They search the water for bodies and anything valuable they can recover. Their work brings them into the mystery surrounding John Harmon and a disputed inheritance.
What Lizzie Hexam wants
Lizzie wants safety and independence, but she also tries to protect those she loves. She seeks to escape the stigma attached to her father's trade. Her story connects the novel's concern with social standing to a young woman's wish to direct her own life.
Lizzie Hexam and the others in the story
Lizzie attracts the attention of Eugene Wrayburn, an idle young lawyer, and Bradley Headstone, a schoolmaster. Bradley's controlled manner conceals fierce feelings, while Eugene is described as restless. Their rivalry places Lizzie under pressure that has little to do with what she wants.
Questions
Who is Lizzie Hexam's father?
Her father is Gaffer Hexam, who searches the Thames for bodies and recoverable valuables.
What does Lizzie Hexam want?
Lizzie seeks a safe, independent life while caring about the people she loves.
Who are Lizzie Hexam's suitors?
Eugene Wrayburn and Bradley Headstone both seek Lizzie's attention. Eugene is a lawyer, while Bradley is a schoolmaster whose outward control hides intense feelings.
