58 pages 1 hour read

William Godwin

Caleb Williams

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1794

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Volume 3, Chapters 5-6

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Volume 3, Chapter 5 Summary

The one rule Caleb gives himself when leaving is to “take a direction as opposite as possible to that which led to the scene of [his] late imprisonment” (329). On his travels he sees a carriage on the road and decides to hide and wait to see who is in it: It turns out to be Ferdinando (329). Caleb is shocked to see Ferdinando so far from town and unsettled by the close call.

By nighttime, Caleb reaches a small public-house on the outskirts of a village and overhears a group of men talking about the search for him; however, they call Caleb by the name of Kit Williams (330). The men say that they could forgive a man for robbery if he hadn’t robbed his master (331). One of the men “questions whether [Caleb] ever robbed his master at all” and reminds his friends “that Squire Falkland was once tried for murder” (331).

While Caleb is traveling the next day, two men on horseback approach and describe a man they are looking for. It matches Caleb’s description, But Caleb’s disguise fools them. A third rider comes up: It is the servant of Mr. Forester, but he also does not recognize Caleb.