Caleb Williams

William Godwin's three-volume work The Adventures of Caleb Williams, also known as Things as They Are in 1831 or simply Caleb Williams, was written between 1794 and 1831. The first-person narrator of the book is Caleb Williams, a young man who is destitute, self-educated, and orphaned. Falkland, the primary character, is often a restrained and silent master but is prone to unexpected outbursts of wrath. Barnabas Tyrrel, a harsh landlord who tormented and mistreated his tenants, was Falkland's neighbor. Emily Melvile, Tyrrel's niece, was saved from a fire by him, and as a result of his bravery, Emily developed feelings for Falkland. After leaving the estate, Caleb is persuaded to go back and defend himself in court. Caleb and other miserable prisoners provide testimony to the agony of a life behind bars. Eventually, a servant gives Caleb the means to escape, and he does so successfully by attempting to venture into the wilderness. A group of thieves rob Caleb, and one of them specifically assaults him physically. A new guy comes to his rescue and brings him to the headquarters of the same band of robbers. Now Caleb must try to avoid Falkland's efforts to catch and silence him. Falkland asserts that he purposefully skipped court so that he could convince Caleb to put his denials in writing.