Edward Stramer

Edward Stramer is a novelist and an old friend of the family of Lady Jane Lynke. While talking to Lady Jane, he remembers that thirty years ago he himself had been to Bells and Lady Jane’s mother had driven him there. But he wasn’t allowed to enter the house, because of Mr. Jones. He is the first one who thinks that something is wrong about Bells when he hears that Lady Jane had be given the same answer to was not allowed to visit the house thirty years later. “It is queer, though that such a distance of time we should have been given exactly the same answer.” (p. 598). And his next thought is “I wonder if we shall see Mr. Jones.” (p. 598).

Later in the story, he receives an invitation of Lady Jane to stay with her in Bells. She knows that when he is finishing a novel he prefers to settle down in the country where he is not disturbed. He accepts the invitation and goes to Bells. Once at Bells, he notes the dominance of Mr. Jones “[…] I note that Mr. Jones still rules.” (p. 605). He is even more surprised when he finds out that Lady Jane has not seen him “Why – you don’t mean to say you haven’t seen him yet?” (p. 605). He is the one who keeps pushing Jane to investigate about the house and other things “I wish you could find out more about […]” (p. 607). Further he always points out strange things “Well, in Mrs. Clemm’s hands keys get lost, chimneys smoke, locksmiths die […]” (p. 607).

Towards the end of the story he is the first to points out that Mr. Jones might not exist, “There is no Mr. Jones!” (p. 608). He begins investigating by talking to the gardener. His comments imply that Mr. Jones might be a ghost or at least something supernatural “I didn’t say ours was alive now.” (p. 614). He is a very calm and collected person. Even in strange or unusual situations he keeps calm. “That’s not Mrs. Clemm’s foot, or the other woman’s. She must have sent a man – an old man with shaky uncertain steps. Look how it wanders.” (p. 610). Even in the situation where Mrs. Clemm is dead, he is collected and checks her vital signs. “[…] Stramer held it over the housekeeper`s drawn-back lip […] She’s dead.” (p. 615). In the last encounter with Georgiana after Mrs. Clemms death he even shows authority “Stramer asked her sharply”, “Stramer repeated his question in a loud authoritative tone.” (p. 615) [1].

The name Edward means “the one who protects his belongings”. In a broader sense it could be interpreted as someone who protects those close to him. In this case Jane, whose side he stays by all through the story [2].

[1] Lewis, Richard Warrington Baldwin (1968): The Collected Short Stories of Edith Wharton – Volume 2. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

[2]: “Edward”, Vorname.com.

https://www.vorname.com/name,Edward.html (25.03.2019)