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Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.

The Relationship Between Peer Pressure and Crime 

Peer pressure is a powerful force. It functions not only to instigate wrongdoing but also to perpetuate it. Fettes knows he’s done wrong when he maintains his silence in the matter of Jane Galbraith’s death. However, Macfarlane’s encouragement allows Fettes to believe he should not only follow his friend’s lead but also that his actions in doing so are justifiable. Since Macfarlane knows how to manipulate Fettes, there is confirmation bias at work as well. Macfarlane is an older, popular student, and Fettes wants to be associated with him and perceived as the man worthy of his friendship. By assuring Fettes that it is right and good to put the truth out of his mind and go along with the clearly criminal acts, Fettes believes that it truly is right and good since Macfarlane models the behavior. Fettes wants to be perceived as brave and manly, and since Macfarlane assures him that their actions are proof of their courage and masculinity, Fettes believes it to be true. 

Committing criminal acts often demands complicity from others, making the co-conspirators dependent on one another. Macfarlane depends on Fettes to keep their secrets. Macfarlane knows how to manipulate Fettes by appealing to his pride and ego. Even as old men, years after Fettes has quit medical school and discontinued their association, Macfarlane is still dependent on Fettes. When confronted by Fettes at the George, Macfarlane is clearly fearful of the danger of Fettes’s knowledge. He reverts to the manipulation techniques that succeeded when they were students, trying to coerce Fettes with false friendliness and ply him with the promise of money. When Fettes rejects Macfarlane’s efforts, however, the doctor is aware of how dangerous it is for him to lose the complicity he once had with Fettes. When he flees the George, the danger of their broken codependence is demonstrated.  

The Importance of Ethics in Science

As seen in “The Body Snatcher,” a failure to hold to a strong code of ethics can lead to disastrous results. Because Macfarlane and Fettes do not conduct themselves morally and responsibly, the trade in unethically sourced bodies for scientific study continues. Moreover, because there are no standards, no guidelines, and no questions asked, the men providing the bodies are emboldened to resort to any means necessary to continue their trade, including murder. Mr. Gray in particular illustrates the importance of standards of ethical behavior in science. Although he is described as a reprehensible man, Gray does not deserve his death, illuminating the idea that all people should be treated with equal standards by the medical community. Additionally, the fact that Macfarlane murders Gray shows how easy it can be for people in the scientific field to escalate their unethical behavior when no standards or guidelines are in place.  

Ethical role models are also essential in the medical field. Mr. K— models shockingly unethical behavior, perpetuating the cycle in his students. Macfarlane takes his cues from Mr. K— and learns how to profit from unscrupulous practices. Had Mr. K—demonstrated higher standards and principles, Macfarlane and Fettes might have been discouraged from committing their dishonorable actions. They would have feared losing the admiration and confidence of their mentor as well as facing consequences for their crimes. Since Mr. K— models unethical behavior, however, the opposite occurs. Macfarlane follows Mr. K—‘s example and is actively complicit in the body trade. The cycle of mentoring then continues as Macfarlane encourages and manipulates Fettes into being complicit in the unconscionable actions that were modeled for him.

The Power of Unfettered Greed

For Fettes, the greed he succumbs to starts as the desire for approval and affirmation. He is careful to cultivate the appearance of a serious and engaged scholar even as he is out at night, participating in activities he knows his professors would not approve of. He is greedy for advancement, and he knows the only way to get the opportunities he desires is to play the part. Fettes wants approval and advancement even as he engages in profligate behavior. Macfarlane exploits Fettes’s greed by manipulating him and making him believe he will be unmanly and cowardly if he doesn’t go along with the shady business of sourcing bodies for Mr. K—‘s lab. Because Fettes craves Macfarlane’s approval and to be perceived as a brave and masculine person, he allows his desire to overcome his scruples, showing how greed motivates him.

Sometimes even stronger than hunger for approval is greed for material possessions. Macfarlane rewards Fettes with gold for his silence about the murder of Gray. Fettes responds to the transaction by boasting about how he was a fool to doubt the value of his complicity. He brags about how he understands that there is nothing to gain in being ethical and honorable as he jingles the gold in his pocket, earned by being an accessory after the fact in Gray’s murder. Years later, when they meet unexpectedly at the George, Macfarlane shows how his greed has not abated over the years. He is extravagantly dressed, implying that he is still willing to sacrifice his ethics for material gain. He also demonstrates his belief in the power of greed when he offers Fettes money as a tacit payment for Fettes’s continued silence.

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