The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner

Having now agreed with Gil-Martin’s suggestion to kill his father and brother, Robert stalks George through the city and finds himself disgusted by his brother’s sinful behavior. When he attacks George, Robert is put in jail and Wringhim steps in to have him freed. In spite of his imprisonment, Robert continues to stalk George. Gil-Martin urges him to do so. When George becomes scared and hides indoors, Robert is pleased. At the same time, however, he develops his own illness and must stay indoors. During this time, Robert begins to have feelings of disassociation and feels as though he is “bewitched” (116). He feels like he is both George and Gil-Martin, rather than himself. Wondering whether his sickness is a punishment from God, Robert receives word that he has supposedly continued to stalk his brother in spite of his confinement. He suspects Gil-Martin may have posed as him. When he gets better, Robert meets with Gil-Martin. They immediately hatch another plot against George, planning to attack him on a hill path. As Robert ascends the hill in pursuit of his brother, however, he starts to suffer from “sinful doubtings” (118). A woman in white appears to him out of the fog, criticizing his behavior.