The Widow

“Eighteen years into the grind and Simon F. Latch, Attorney and Counselor (both) at Law, was burning out. He was weary of other people’s problems.”

This opening characterization establishes Simon’s professional disillusionment and moral fatigue, which serve as the foundational motive for his subsequent unethical actions. The parenthetical “(both)” adds a layer of dry humor, suggesting Simon’s awareness of the hollowness of his professional titles. This burnout frames his eventual turn toward greed as an escape from a long-standing professional and personal dissatisfaction.

“Fortified, she gritted her teeth and said, ‘As of last week, the stocks were worth slightly more than sixteen million.’ […] Simon scribbled down the number while managing to keep a solemn poker face, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.”

This moment marks the introduction of the novel’s central temptation and Simon’s immediate, calculated response to it. The juxtaposition of Netty’s fortification and Simon’s “poker face” highlights the transactional and deceptive nature of their developing relationship. This contrast signals Simon’s shift from a burnt-out lawyer to a calculating opportunist, initiating the novel’s exploration of The Corrupting Influence of Greed.

“Back inside, Matilda said, ‘Nice little lady. You have the questionnaire? I’ll do the will right now.’ Simon stopped and looked out the front window as if there was trouble. ‘Might have a problem. She could be crazy, really off her rocker.’”

Here, Simon commits his first significant act of deception by lying to his loyal secretary, a crucial step in isolating his scheme. This moment establishes the motif of secret lives, as Simon intentionally constructs a false narrative to maintain control and hide his intentions. His calculated performance—looking out the window “as if there was trouble”—visually demonstrates his deliberate