The Under—Tunnel: Chapter 31 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

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This chapter is a turning point in the novel, bringing Jacob Marber back to Cairndale with a deadly purpose and revealing the fragile alliances forming around the baby’s fate.

Below, you’ll find a complete summary, key events, character insights, thematic analysis, and study questions to deepen your understanding of this pivotal installment.

Summary

The chapter opens with Jacob Marber finding a hidden cave entrance on a low rise of rock overlooking the valley. He leaves a candle in a dish, removes his gloves, and uses his dust-manipulating talent to ignite a small blue flame. He descends into a sloping cavern, then into a darker crevasse that leads to ancient tunnels formed by glacial meltwater beneath Cairndale. As he walks, he thinks about the two children at the river and the sounds of the drughr feeding, shuddering but telling himself there was nothing he could have done.

The tunnels are cold, wet, and unlit. Jacob moves carefully, afraid of getting lost, but he has a rough sense of direction. The darkness triggers a flood of childhood memories. He recalls his early days in Vienna with his twin brother, Bertolt, when they worked as chimney sweeps. They were nine years old, living with a crew of street kids in a disused cellar. Bertolt was the bold, clever one, always reassuring Jacob that he was special and needed watching over. Jacob admired his brother and loved him deeply.

A sound from behind interrupts his reverie—a drip of water on stone—but it does not repeat. Jacob wonders if Henry Berghast knows he is coming, but dismisses the thought; there is no turning back now. He continues deeper into the darkness.

Meanwhile, at Cairndale, Susan Crowley is upset after Dr. Berghast’s visit. He has told her he intends to send the baby away, and she feels a surge of anger—an emotion she is not used to. She checks on the sleeping infant, then goes to find Miss Davenshaw, hoping the older woman will offer guidance. She passes two young talents in the hall and a veiled woman from London, whom she distrusts. In the foyer, she finds Miss Davenshaw seated by the fire. Susan confesses her fear that the baby should not be sent anywhere. Miss Davenshaw, speaking quietly, suggests that the child would be better off anywhere but at Cairndale, implying that the manor itself is unsafe.

Back in the tunnels, Jacob sees the glow of a lantern ahead. He blows out his own candle and greets the man waiting there: Walter, a consumptive, nervous man who believes Jacob is his friend. Walter has brought the lantern as promised and begs Jacob to take him along. Jacob reassures him, but his irritation is evident. He instructs Walter to go ahead and make sure no one is near, promising they will leave together once Jacob has what he came for—the baby. Walter scurries off, and Jacob follows, feeling the child’s presence drawing closer.

Jacob slips through a broken wall into the cellar of Cairndale. The familiar smell and creaking floorboards bring a rush of memories; he closes his eyes and thinks, “Home.” He moves through the manor, using his knowledge of the layout to navigate. He feels the presence of the sleeping talents through the walls, but they mean nothing to him. He recalls how Berghast had manipulated him, using him as a weapon after Jacob killed his sweep boss, Herr Gould.

The narrative shifts to Abigail Davenshaw, who has been waiting in the foyer for over an hour. She decides to go to the dining hall for tea, but finds the kitchens empty. As she turns to leave, she feels a faint, chilled breeze coming from the cellar. She investigates and discovers a shelf moved aside, revealing a tunnel entrance. She remembers stories of tunnels under the manor, but not this one. She summons a serving girl, Mary, and orders her to fetch Mr. Smythe and Mrs. Harrogate with lanterns, suspecting that some of the young talents have gone exploring. She does not realize that something has come in.

Jacob makes his way up the servants’ stairs to the east wing, where he finds Walter waiting in an alcove. Walter points to the nursemaid’s door, whispering that the nurse is always with the baby. Jacob instructs Walter to distract the nursemaid. Walter knocks and engages her in conversation, and Jacob uses his dust to create a veil of darkness, slipping silently into the room behind her. He creeps along the perimeter, avoiding the candlelight, and approaches the cradle. He sees the tangle of blankets and the helpless child.

Key Events

Jacob Marber enters the hidden cave and descends through ancient glacial tunnels beneath Cairndale.
He recalls his childhood in Vienna with his twin brother Bertolt, who died after being dragged from a chimney by their sweep boss, Herr Gould.
Jacob later killed Herr Gould with his dust-manipulating power in a gambling den, and Henry Berghast recruited him as a weapon.
Susan Crowley, angered by Berghast’s plan to send the baby away, confides in Miss Davenshaw, who suggests the child would be safer elsewhere.
Jacob meets Walter in the tunnels; Walter has brought a lantern and begs to be taken along. Jacob promises to take him after he gets the baby.
Jacob enters Cairndale through the cellar and moves through the manor, recalling Berghast’s manipulation.
Abigail Davenshaw discovers the tunnel entrance and summons staff with lanterns, thinking children have gone exploring.
Jacob has Walter distract the nursemaid, then slips unseen into the baby’s room and approaches the cradle.

Character Development

Jacob Marber: This chapter deepens Jacob’s tragic backstory. His memories of Bertolt reveal a loving, protective brother who made Jacob feel special. Bertolt’s death at the hands of Herr Gould—and Jacob’s subsequent revenge—transformed him into a killer. Jacob’s return to Cairndale is marked by a mix of anger and longing; he feels the manor is his home, yet he is now an intruder. His manipulation of Walter shows his cold, pragmatic side, but also his isolation. He is a predator, but one shaped by loss and betrayal.
Susan Crowley: Susan’s anger at Berghast’s decision marks a shift in her character. She has lived her life being told what to do, but now she feels a protective instinct toward the baby. Her conversation with Miss Davenshaw reveals her growing distrust of Cairndale and its master. She is beginning to question authority, though she still lacks the confidence to act on her own.
Abigail Davenshaw: The blind woman is perceptive and cautious. She senses something wrong in the cellar and immediately takes action, summoning staff with lanterns. Her assumption that the tunnel entrance is due to children on a lark shows her concern for the young talents, but also her failure to anticipate a real threat. She is a stabilizing presence, but her awareness is limited.
Walter: Walter is a pathetic, desperate figure. He believes Jacob is his friend and clings to the promise of escape. His consumptive illness and nervous demeanor make him pitiable, yet Jacob uses him without remorse. Walter’s willingness to distract the nursemaid shows his desperation, but also his gullibility.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Loss of Innocence: Jacob’s childhood memories are idyllic until Bertolt’s death. The brutal murder of his brother shatters his innocence and sets him on a path of violence. The tunnels themselves, formed by ancient ice, symbolize the cold, buried past that shapes the present.
Revenge and Manipulation: Jacob’s revenge on Herr Gould is a pivotal moment, but it leads to his exploitation by Berghast. The chapter shows how revenge can be twisted by others for their own purposes. Berghast’s manipulation of Jacob is a recurring motif, and Jacob now recognizes it, though he is still trapped in its consequences.
Maternal Protection: Susan’s fierce protectiveness of the baby contrasts with Berghast’s cold pragmatism. Her anger and desire to keep the child safe highlight the theme of maternal care versus institutional control. Miss Davenshaw’s cryptic warning reinforces the idea that Cairndale is not a safe haven.
Deception and Concealment: Jacob’s use of dust to create a veil of darkness, his stealthy movement through the manor, and his manipulation of Walter all underscore the theme of deception. The tunnels themselves are hidden passages, allowing secret entry and exit. The chapter is built on layers of concealment—both physical and emotional.
Homecoming: Jacob’s return to Cairndale is fraught with conflicting emotions. He thinks “Home” upon entering the cellar, yet he is an intruder. The manor is both a place of belonging and a site of betrayal. This motif of homecoming is complicated by his role as a predator.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a crucial turning point in Ordinary Monsters. It brings Jacob Marber directly into the heart of Cairndale, setting the stage for a confrontation with Berghast and the baby’s fate. The chapter also provides essential backstory for Jacob, explaining how he became the man he is—a killer shaped by loss and manipulation. Susan’s growing defiance and Miss Davenshaw’s cryptic warning establish the internal conflicts at Cairndale, while Abigail’s discovery of the tunnel adds a layer of suspense. The chapter masterfully interweaves past and present, using the tunnels as a metaphor for the buried truths that drive the characters. It raises the stakes for the baby and sets up the climactic events to come.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Jacob’s memory of Bertolt influence his actions in this chapter?

Jacob’s memory of Bertolt is central to his motivation. Bertolt’s death at the hands of Herr Gould—and Jacob’s subsequent revenge—transformed him into a killer. The memory resurfaces as he walks through the tunnels, reminding him of his loss and his capacity for violence. It also explains his distrust of authority figures like Berghast, who manipulated him after the murder. Jacob’s determination to reach the baby may be driven by a desire to prevent another innocent from suffering, though his methods are ruthless.

2. What does Susan Crowley’s conversation with Miss Davenshaw reveal about the power dynamics at Cairndale?

Susan’s conversation reveals that Berghast holds absolute authority, but that there are cracks in his control. Susan is afraid to defy him, yet she feels anger and protectiveness. Miss Davenshaw, though discreet, openly suggests that the child would be safer away from Cairndale, indicating that even trusted staff have misgivings about Berghast’s decisions. The conversation shows that Susan is beginning to question the institution, but she lacks the agency to act independently. It also hints at a larger conspiracy or danger within the manor.

3. How does the author use the tunnels as a symbol in this chapter?

The tunnels symbolize the hidden, buried aspects of the characters’ pasts and the secrets of Cairndale. They are ancient, formed by glacial meltwater, representing the deep, primal forces that shape the land and its inhabitants. For Jacob, the tunnels are a path back to his origins, both literally and metaphorically—he is returning to the place where he was recruited and where his life took a dark turn. The tunnels also represent concealment and deception, as they allow Jacob to infiltrate the manor unseen. They are a physical manifestation of the buried truths that the characters must confront.

Continue to the next chapter to see how the confrontation unfolds, or revisit the previous chapter for context. Return to the book hub for more summaries and analysis.