History Literature / CalebWilliams

* NotSoDifferent: Emily Melville is clearly a foil for Caleb. They are almost the same age when they meet Falkland (Emily is 17, Caleb is 18). Both are orphans dependent on the generosity of hot-tempered squires for their survival. Both escape from fires. Emily is pursued by an uncouth, amoral rustic named “Grimes”; Caleb is pursued by an uncouth, amoral rustic named “Gines.” Emily is nearly raped in a forest until a Good Samaritan saves her, only to face a long illness and ultimately die from a fever; Caleb is beaten and left for dead in a forest until a Good Samaritan saves him, only to face a long illness and almost die from a cleaver. When it comes to Falkland, both Caleb and Emily are “full of a thousand conjectures as to the meaning of the most indifferent actions.” Even their words are similar. When Caleb tells Falkland, “You may destroy me, but you cannot make me tremble,” it brings to mind Emily’s feverish declaration that “though [Falkland] could reject her, it was not in his power to break her heart.” Finally, Emily’s fantasy of holding Falkland’s corpse in her arms nearly comes true at the book’s end when Caleb embraces Falkland, who dies three days later.

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* GaolTime: Caleb gets sent to prison in Vol. II.

* RevisedEnding: The official ending (where Caleb and Falkland reconcile) is actually a revised version of Godwin's [[DownerEnding original, manuscript ending]], which appears in some editions of the novel. In the manuscript, Falkland maintains his innocence when Caleb accuses him in court. The two don't speak again, and Caleb, though legally free, is kept under house arrest by one of Falkland's agents. [[GoMadFromTheIsolation Alone and isolated]], Caleb slowly [[SanitySlippage goes insane]]. His final message to Collins is a [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness broken, incoherent ramble]].

* MindGameShip: Falkland sees Caleb as this. Since what Falkland fears the most is anyone discovering he’s a murderer, Caleb’s insinuations and attempts to learn the truth strike Falkland as a form of psychological torture.
--> "Are my passions to be wound and unwound by an insolent domestic? Do you think I will be an instrument to be played on at your pleasure, till you have extorted all the treasures of my soul?"
-->--'''Vol. II, Ch. 2'''

* TheWoobie: Orphaned, falsely accused by the master he loved and admired, imprisoned, beaten, robbed, nearly murdered by a crazed woman with a cleaver, scorned and chased throughout the land, never allowed to have a friend who doesn't eventually betray him...Caleb is definitely this.

* AssholeVictim: Squire Tyrrel. Assaults Falkland at a public meeting, arranges for Emily Melville to be abducted and forced into marriage, and unjustly evicts the Hawkinses from their home. Arguably, also Caleb: Falkland’s retribution is out of proportion, but Caleb deliberately and methodically provoked him.

* SlaveToPR: Falkland is well aware that his attempts to preserve his own good name, even at the cost of his own or Caleb’s life, is completely insane. Even so he vows to do anything to save his honor.

* UndyingLoyalty: Even after learning Falkland killed Tyrrel, Caleb reflects “it was possible to love a murderer.” Even after being sent to prison and chased across England and Wales, Caleb remains loyal to Falkland: “I rather chose to expose myself to every kind of misfortune, than disclose the secret…” It takes ten years of suffering for Caleb to finally, wholeheartedly turn against Falkland - and all it takes is an apology to bring Caleb around again.

Caleb Williams is still read as an example of late 18th century Gothic fiction, albeit one where a [[NaiveNewcomer naïve newcomer]] is pursued not by ghosts or monsters but by the injustices of English law. Studied in particular for its criticisms of political oppression, unjust hierarchies, and English society in general in the 1790s.

* AntiVillain: Falkland’s overall plans to follow, control, and discredit Caleb are evil, but he makes sure to never physically harm or kill Caleb. In fact, he tries to take makes Caleb’s prison stay more comfortable, gives Caleb twenty pounds (i.e., the average annual income for an English laborer or farmer in 1800) even after Caleb officially accuses him of murder, and drops charges against Caleb – effectively saving Caleb from further imprisonment and execution.

Caleb Williams is still read as an example of late 18th century Gothic fiction, albeit one where a [[NaiveNewcomer naïve newcomer]] is pursued not by ghosts or monsters but by the injustices of English law. Studied in particular for its criticisms of political oppression, unjust hierarchies, and English society in general the 1790s.

* Outlaw: Caleb becomes this after escaping from prison.

* Screwtherulesihavemoney: This works to Falkland’s advantage, as his wealth enables him to watch/pursue Caleb for a decade.

* StartingANewLife: Caleb tries to do this in rural Wales, becoming a watchmaker/math teacher and befriending a local family. His attempt fails, however, when the mother of said family finds out Caleb (allegedly) robbed Falkland. Her late father heard about and admired Falkland back in Italy. Tough luck.

* Woobie: Orphaned, falsely accused by the master he loved and admired, imprisoned, beaten, robbed, nearly murdered by a crazed woman with a cleaver, scorned and chased throughout the land, never allowed to have a friend who doesn't eventually betray him...Caleb is definitely this.

* HeKnowsTooMuch: Falkland’s reason for keeping Caleb under surveillance for ten years.
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Happens to both Caleb and Falkland. When Caleb is trying to figure out whether Falkland is a murderer, Falkland is the Hunted. When Falkland sends Caleb to prison, Caleb becomes the Hunted. When Caleb brings Falkland to trial, Falkland becomes the Hunted again.