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1.
John Wilson marries Polly Hutchison in Carluke, Scotland. Polly eventually gives birth to their first child, George. -
2.
Soon, after the death of John's parents his older brother, Alex Wilson inherits the grocery business in Carluke. Years later the once thriving business fell into the ground. Which cases gossip to spread about Alex and John -
3.
Persuaded by immigration propaganda, John Wilson sails to Saskatoon. -
4.
During the first Canadian winter John experienced, he was laid off his first job in bridge building. He would work as a gardener in Saskatoon’s parks. He would eventually quit to attempt to enlist. -
5.
On August 4, 1914, war was declared. He was rejected from the army due to his weak lungs. Two weeks later he enlisted for the Royal North West Mounted Police. -
6.
John went to Blaine Lake working as a policeman. Where he would eventually meet the Pattersons’. In particular, 16 year old Jessie. -
8.
At the end of summer of 1917, a doctor diagnosed John with tuberculosis. Discharged from the military, John was taken care of by the Pattersons. Eventually proposing to Jessie, her answer was yes. -
7.
Gradually John spent more time at the Pattersons. He kept his marriage silent and slowly sent less letters back to home. Jack Wilson informs John Patterson that his wife had died three years ago, because of how close Jessie and Wilson have gotten. -
9.
By December 31, 1917, Jack had missed his sixth Hogmanay and ten year anniversary with Polly. -
10.
John’s sister and Jessie begin to communicate through letters. Where Mary would disclose she is dying. However, it was really John writing the letters. The importance of this:
John is beginning to write letters to communicate with his loved ones. Whether it's about affection or he's trying to deceit them.
Page 42 "The upright and honorable John Wilson wrote both of these letters himself."
- At this point in the novel, John is beginning to become deceitful. Forging letters. -
10 (Part 2)
Image depicted: Letters John would write.
-Character development for John, he's beginning to manipulate those who loved. Which he would later do to Polly in his letters of "love."
-It does not appear that John feels any remorse for his actions. His time in Canada and absence of his wife led him to become unfaithful.
-John Wilson, an RNWMP officer with such honor and status is doing such a heinous act. -
11
In the Spring of 1918, John began to get better and he would become the notary public and justice of the peace. -
12
A concerned wife, Polly set off to Canada in search of John. On April 18th Polly found John and they would meetup in in Saskatoon the next day. -
13.
In Regina the Wilsons rented a boarding house at 2039 Rose Street ran by Mrs. Eileen Wismer. Who quickly became close with Polly. Within days, Polly became pregnant again.
"Even if Polly went home to Scotland, or conveniently died, several people knew about her." (Page 56)
Importance:
-John is conflicted because he can no longer be seen in Regina with Jessie. Due to his publicly known relationship with Polly.
-He is forced to take action, which he would do near the end of Book one. -
13 (Part 2)
Image depicted: The boarding house the pair had rented.
-Had Polly never come to Canada, John would not have to bring her out in public so others could see. Polly might have lived.
-It's at this point were John has to choose between Polly or Jessie. Ultimately choosing Jessie over his wife. -
Period: to
14.
John writes letters to Jessie while he is with Polly. Two timing Jessie and Polly, both unaware. He made sure they wouldn’t find about each other. -
15.
Polly finds a letter for John and confronts him about it. Tension arises. -
16
On September 17, 1918, Jack Wilson moved to Saskatoon in charge of the Military Police. Causing a hiatus between Polly and Jack. -
17.
John mails Polly, telling her to go to Saskatoon the next day. Before her arrival John purchases a marriage license for him and Jessie. -
18.
When Polly arrives, the pair setoff from Saskatoon. In Jessie’s car that John purchased her, John did not go straight to the house. He said he had out to Rosthern. Changing the plans again saying they would spend the night at Blaine Lake. A tire blown out and they pulled over. Where John would pull out a double barrel shotgun and shoot Polly in the head. Her head gone and blood spurted everywhere.
"At the loud explosion, the good, generous heart of Polly Wilson stopped beating." (Page 79) -
18 (Part 2)
Image depicts the vehicle in which Polly was killed in. Where John told others he was out hunting and his vehicle had some issues.
Points:
-John did it, he killed somebody who loved him his wife.
-A crucial turning point for him, if he can do that what's stopping him from more.
-He believes he has gotten away with his crime and can live peacefully with Jessie.
-This questions morality. Is John really mentally okay? -
19.
A day after his incident, John travels to Isaac’s Neufeldt’s home and claims this his vehicle burnt on him. Helping him out, but arising some suspicious amongst the others. -
20
John would get away from the scene. On September 29, 1918 John Wilson and Jessie Patterson get married.
Image depicted: Sergeant John Wilson marries 19 year old Jessie Patterson.
Importance of event:
-John has moved on from his wife already.
-This event has put Jack in danger if anybody finds out.
-Those who know of Polly in Canada will become suspicious of her disappearance.
-John Wilson is a completely different man. A murderer and liar. -
20 (part 2)
""I now pronounce you man and wife," said the Reverend Clark."
(Page 87)
On the day of their wedding