Myra Selfridge's Reawakening

Tracks Mrs. Selfridge's movement from a weak, frightened wife to a bereaved mother and finally an admirer of Rowland's courage.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Terror of John Rowland

Terror of John Rowland The Moment Myra Selfridge sees Rowland among the working sailors and becomes agitated. She tells her husband about the old courtship, his atheism, and her fear that he may steal the baby. Why It Matters Her account shows her as a conventional, pious woman who cannot accept Rowland's honest unbelief. She reads his presence as revenge. This is the start of her misunderstanding of him.

Mother-Look and Accusation

Mother-Look and Accusation The Moment Myra springs toward Rowland like a tigress, snatches her child, and stares at him with dilated eyes. Later she tells the captain she is certain he meant to drop Myra overboard. Why It Matters The accusation is born of maternal fear, but it becomes a weapon for Captain Bryce. Myra agrees to testify against Rowland, sealing his persecution. She does not yet know that this same man will save her child's life.

The Widow's Grief

The Widow's Grief The Moment In the lifeboat, Myra moans, prays, and screams for her husband and baby. An officer tells her the child is safe with Rowland, but does not tell her he is stranded on an iceberg. Why It Matters The lie is meant to comfort but only prolongs her agony. She reaches New York believing her husband is dead and her child lost. Her grief hardens her suspicion of Rowland, because the officer names him as the one who had the child.

The Courtroom Revelation

The Courtroom Revelation The Moment In court, Myra testifies against Rowland, describing the taffrail incident and the wounds on the child's back. The magistrate reads the morning paper, recognizes Rowland as the man who killed a polar bear, and discharges him. Why It Matters The revelation shatters her version of events. The wounds she thought were made by a sharp instrument were the claw marks of the bear Rowland killed. She leaves the courtroom mystified and aggrieved, but the seed of gratitude has been planted.

The Letter to Rowland

The Letter to Rowland The Moment Myra writes to Rowland, telling him she has watched his fight from a distance and that Myra will not let her rest. She asks: "Will you not come and see Myra?" Why It Matters The letter is both an apology and an invitation. It admits that Rowland was not the monster she feared. Her reawakening is complete when she reaches out to the man she once accused of murder.

aboard the Titan, first morning

after the taffrail incident

after her rescue by Lifeboat No. 24

the morning after the arrest

six months after the civil service appointment