Chapter summaries The Dark Wives Ann Cleeves

The Dark Wives Chapter 40 (Chapter Thirty-Nine) – Summary & 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.

Summary

Joe watches the children’s party with Rosie, feeling frustrated that Vera is unreachable. Rosie has gathered information from parents and explains the Witch Hunt tradition. As darkness falls, the village streetlights are switched off deliberately. Ma, the pub landlady, appears dressed as a witch with white face paint and a black hat. She announces that the hunt will begin in half an hour. Joe feels lost without Vera’s direction; he is indecisive and anxious about making difficult decisions. The chapter ends with Ma disappearing into the night, leaving Joe and Rosie to determine their next move.

Key Events

  • Joe notices he missed a call from Vera but receives no reply when he tries to call back.
  • Rosie explains what she has learned: the Witch Hunt involves a “witch” (this year Ma) hiding on the fell, and children searching for her.
  • The rules of the hunt are described: children must find the witch before she touches them; shouting “Witch, witch, I see you” wins the game. Head torches are allowed for older children, and the younger ones are accompanied by parents.
  • Joe is horrified by the perceived danger and recklessness, noting that parents have been drinking since lunchtime.
  • Rosie jokes about the “evil eye” symbols seen earlier in the chapter.
  • As the sun sets, the streetlights are turned off as prearranged. Ma emerges in costume, delivers instructions, and then vanishes.
  • Joe reflects on his inability to act without Vera, admitting fear of responsibility prevents him from seeking promotion.

Character Development

Joe Ashworth: This chapter deepens Joe’s internal conflict. He resents Vera’s independence but also recognizes his own paralysis without her guidance. His Methodist upbringing makes him uncomfortable with the pagan overtones of the Witch Hunt. His fear of being in charge is laid bare, revealing a man caught between loyalty and ambition.

Rosie Bell: Rosie takes the lead in gathering intelligence from the local parents, showing her practical, observant nature. She provides crucial context about the Witch Hunt and remains calm amid the chaos, contrasting with Joe’s anxiety.

Ma (the pub landlady): Though she appears only briefly, Ma is portrayed as a commanding presence. Her theatrical costume and authoritative announcement set the stage for the hunt. Her disappearance hints at her role in the evening’s unfolding events.

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

  • Superstition vs. Rationality: The Witch Hunt epitomizes the village’s embrace of folklore and ritual, which Joe finds disturbing. His Methodist background clashes with this celebration of the supernatural, highlighting tension between modern policing and ancient customs.
  • Fear of Responsibility: Joe’s indecision underscores the theme of leadership. His fear of making the wrong call prevents him from stepping up, a personal struggle that runs through the novel.
  • Darkness and Visibility: The deliberate extinguishing of streetlights symbolizes the loss of clarity and control. Joe and Rosie must navigate both physical and investigative darkness.
  • The Evil Eye: References to the evil eye, seen earlier, tie into the chapter’s atmosphere of suspicion and malevolent watchfulness.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 40 shifts the focus from investigation to immersion in the community’s central event: the Witch Hunt. It places Joe and Rosie on the ground without Vera, forcing Joe to confront his reliance on her. The chapter also provides essential background on the hunt’s rules and its emotional weight for the village. For the reader, it heightens tension as the hunt is about to begin, setting up a crucial sequence of events. Joe’s emotional honesty here deepens our understanding of his character arc.

Study Questions & Answers

1. Why does Joe feel “lost” without Vera in this chapter? Joe admits that Vera’s disappearances leave him resentful, but more importantly, he lacks confidence to make independent decisions. He has avoided promotion out of fear that he cannot handle the responsibility. Without Vera, he is indecisive and anxious, unable to determine the next step.

2. What does the Witch Hunt reveal about the village of Gilswick? The hunt shows a community that values tradition over official regulations. The council’s attempt to shut it down was ignored, and parents accept a level of risk that Joe finds reckless. The event blends superstition with a sense of collective identity, and the use of the “evil eye” symbol suggests an undercurrent of suspicion and fear.

3. How does the chapter’s setting—the transition from dusk to darkness—affect the mood? The fading light and deliberate darkening of streetlights create an atmosphere of uncertainty and impending danger. The half-moon provides limited illumination, mirroring Joe’s partial understanding of events. The physical darkness amplifies the tension of the hunt and Joe’s internal struggle.

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