The elaborate plot of Anthony Trollope’s Eustace Diamonds derives from Lizzie’s one, useless, quickly considered lie that she tells because of her ignorance of the law and because of her misapprehension as to the likely consequences of telling the truth.
Such tiny—but consequential—decisions are at the essence of Trollope’s art.
Consider also how Mrs. Carbunkle (as ignorant as Lizzie) instructs Lizzie as to what the law is and what she must expect. Then consider how Lord Fawn reacts, based on his belief as to what his peers and superiors will think of him, even if their thoughts are superficial and ignorant.
All of this is marvelous comedy. It takes an insignificant event and derives its large consequences among the ignorant and superficial who are nevertheless powerful and rich.
And there’s a final irony that makes this novel truly wonderful: due to Attorney Camperdown’s questionable knowledge of the law himself, the ignorance of the other characters is readily and rightly excused.
* Orlando Bartro is the author of Toward Two Words, a comical & surreal novel about a man who loves yet another woman he never knew. Find your copy at Amazon. Hardcover, paperback, and e-book editions available.
https://www.amazon.com/Toward-Two-Words-Orlando-Bartro-ebook/dp/B072MNB4F9