The Moving Finger by Edith Wharton

Summary
The story revolves around Mr Ralph Grancy and his wives, mostly his second wife who lives
even after her death and is talked about till the end of the story. The names of the wives are not
mentioned, both are referred to as Mrs Grancy. The story begins with the death of the first Mrs
Grancy which is a big shock. She was all over Mr Grancy and very disapproving the ways of
Ralph. Ralph has a group of followers, one of whom was the narrator of the story. This band of
followers was fascinated with how Ralph Grancy met his life full of obstacles. “We had watched
him pitted against one stupid obstacle after another —ill-health, poverty, misunderstanding and,
worst of all for a man of his texture, his first wife’s soft insidious egotism.”

So the death of his wife was a big blow to Ralph but as always he rose from his misfortune by
marrying again. All his friends were surprised at this decision. “After one such calcining most
men would have kept out of the fire; but we agreed that he was predestined to sentimental
blunders, and we awaited with resignation the embodiment of his latest mistake.” But all were
mistaken as Mrs Grancy was one of the finest women both in looks and in character.

A life like painting of her is done by his friend Claydon. But she too dies soon. Mr Grancy is
broken but picks again and goes out of the country on work. He comes back as a man who looks
older than he actually was. When he reaches home he realises his wife looks very young and get
his friend Clayon to modify the portrait of his wife to suit his looks.

Claydon does it with utter despair. While she was alive Claydon falls in love with Mrs Grancy
for she is the cause of his best painting ever.
Characterizations
Mrs Grancy: She is a proud woman who is harsh and controlling her husband all the time.

The second Mrs Grancy: She is beautiful belying her age. She is innocent and charming too.
However, she falls in love with Claydon.

Mr Grancy:

He loves both his wives. Mr Grancy is one who faces all troubles with a brave heart and bounces
back to life. He is completely consumed by the beauty and love of his second wife that he
continues to live with her in his mind even after her death. The painting is also another character
which makes the story what it is.

Claydon:

Claydon is painter friend of Mr Grancy. He was true about his friendship till he meets the second
Mrs Grancy and falls in love with her. From then on he becomes deceitful. He does whatever is
required of him by Mr Grancy. In his second alteration to the portrait, he sends a strong
suggestion that she is dead and Mr Grancy would die soon. His motive was to get his painting
and make Mrs Grancy his, even though it was in death.

Settings
The setting is mostly where the painting is. It is at first at the library and when Mr Grancy falls
ill it is shifted to the studio and then after the death of Mr.Grancy the painting shifts to the studio
of Claydon where he places amongst his most valuable works. Mr Grancy travels but there are
no details about that. So the setting of this story is around the painting.

Themes and Motifs

The theme of the story The Moving Finger is one of crazy love and deceit. Love of Mr Grancy
for his second wife even after her death, love Claydon for Mrs Grancy. It is deceit too as Mr
Claydon is cheating his friend Mr Grancy. Mrs Grancy is also in love with Mr Claydon which is
cheating on her husband. There are no instances to show their love. The only mention is the look
in the painting which was special and one when Mr Grancy comes home, a look which was full
of love. There are no motifs but it is the painting that is all over the story and becomes another
character of the story The Moving Finger.
The Moving Finger by Edith Wharton
Analysis

In The Moving Finger by Edith Wharton we have the theme of control, loneliness, conflict,
obsession, isolation, connection, dependency and letting go. Narrated in the first person by an
unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Wharton may be exploring the
theme of control. There is a sense that Ralph was controlled by his first wife and that his life was
unhappy. Also despite the second Mrs Grancy being dead. Ralph still wants to control her.
Something that is evident by the fact that he asks Claydon to repaint the portrait of Mrs Grancy
so that she may look older. Just as Ralph has gotten older. Though Ralph has tried to do
everything to move on with his life. Even going as far as taking a job in Europe. He has not
being able to escape from his past. He is forever drawn to Mrs Grancy. Which may leave some
readers to suggest that Ralph is unable to move on with his life. He has never remarried and
since Mrs Grancy’s death there is a sense that Ralph has lived a lonely life. Something that
Wharton may be highlighting by way of the setting of the story. Ralph when he returns from
Europe does not leave his home or a least there is no mention by the narrator of Ralph ever
leaving his home.

Though it is not directly implied by the narrator there is also a sense that Mrs Grancy and
Claydon may have had an affair. Just as Ralph loved Mrs Grancy so too did Claydon. It is
perhaps for this reason that Claydon restored the portrait to what it originally was. Just as Ralph
is unable to let go of Mrs Grancy so too is Claydon. By restoring the picture to what it originally
was Claydon wishes to remember Mrs Grancy as she was when he fell in love with her. If
anything both Ralph and Claydon are obsessed with Mrs Grancy. With the possibility that
Claydon may actually have been jealous of Ralph’s relationship with his wife. It is as though
there is the undercurrent of a conflict between Ralph and Claydon. Though Ralph would possibly
be unaware of this. It is also possible that Wharton is exploring the theme of isolation. Ralph felt
not only trapped but isolated in his first marriage. While it is possible that Mrs Grancy too felt
trapped and subsequently isolated when it came to her love for both Ralph and Claydon.

There is also some symbolism in the story which may be important. Not only does the portrait of
Mrs Grancy symbolize love for both Ralph and Claydon but it also symbolizes man’s obsession
with women and how men like to control women (even in death). The fact that Ralph has
married twice may also have some symbolic significance as Wharton could be using the fact that
Ralph married twice to highlight Ralph’s need to feel connected to another person. Though his
marriage to his first wife was unhappy. Ralph never divorced or left his wife. Similarly with the
second Mrs Grancy there is a sense that Ralph needed her to bring joy to his life. If anything
Ralph needed to feel connected with the second Mrs Grancy. Something that is also evident in
her death. Which may leave some critics to suggest that Ralph is dependent on both his wives.
Similarly there is a sense that Claydon too is dependent on Mrs Grancy in order to be happy.
Which is ironic considering that women were viewed upon as being dependent on men at the
time the story was written.

The end of the story is also interesting as the reader gets a sense into just how deeply in love with
Mrs Grancy Claydon is. Though some critics might suggest that Claydon is self-absorbed.
Thinking only of himself and not of others (like Ralph and Mrs Grancy). However one thing is
certain and that is that Claydon is viewing Mrs Grancy as an object. Which may be the point that
Wharton is making. She may be suggesting that at the time the story was written men objectified
women rather than treating them as equals. For Claydon he has an image (or portrait) of Mrs
Grancy which is not real. If anything Claydon has created a fantasy for himself. Though for him
the fantasy is very real. He has what he wants. Complete control and possession over Mrs
Grancy. Just as men in general had control and possession over women at the time the story was
written. Claydon might also think that he has won his rivalry with Ralph however the reality
might be very different. All that Claydon is left with is a portrait of Mrs Grancy and a memory of
a time they spent together. He has not really won anything. Though his fantasy may be real to
him. It still is only a fantasy.