The Long Call

The novel’s Devon communities are very much under the sway of various patriarchal systems of control, some of which are immediately visible and some of which remain hidden for much of the narrative. The Barum Brethren are the novel’s first and most prominent example of a patriarchal institution that exerts undue influence over its community. The religious group is run by the abusive and sexist Dennis Salter, and even the word “brethren” is a plural form of “brother,” connoting a community defined by its proximity to masculinity. Salter uses his status in the Brethren to exert control over the Brethren’s members; those who agree with his views are allowed to stay, and those who don’t, like Matthew, are excommunicated. Even institutions that are not as overtly sinister as the Barum Brethren exhibit a “boy’s club” mentality that privileges the viewpoints and desires of men, often at the expense of female members. The police force itself is an example of such an institution, for Joe Oldham’s paternal relationship with Ross allows Ross to access connections within the force that Jen isn’t privy to, and this dynamic creates a distinct social network through which Oldham can directly impact Matthew’s investigation, using his relationship with and power over Ross.