**Lavinia's Relief and the Significance of the Ghost's Identity**

Lavinia, the protagonist of "A Shady Plot" by Elsie Brown, experiences a sense of relief when she discovers that the ghost haunting her husband, John, is not Helen of Troy. This relief stems from several factors:

1. **Lavinia's Concern for Her Marriage:** Lavinia is initially worried about the impact of the ghost on her relationship with John. She fears that the presence of a beautiful and captivating ghostly figure, particularly if it turned out to be Helen of Troy, could tempt or distract her husband. Lavinia's relief, therefore, arises from the realization that her husband is not enthralled by a ghostly incarnation of the legendary Helen and that their marriage is not threatened by an otherworldly affair.

2. **Lavinia's Fear of Comparison:** Helen of Troy is renowned for her extraordinary beauty and allure. If the ghost had turned out to be Helen, Lavinia would have been constantly plagued by feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. The constant comparison to such a timeless symbol of beauty would have been emotionally distressing for Lavinia. Discovering that the ghost is not Helen of Troy eliminates the need for Lavinia to constantly measure herself against an unattainable ideal.

3. **The Ghost's True Identity:** The fact that the ghost is not Helen of Troy implies that it may be a ghost of a different woman altogether. While Lavinia might still feel some discomfort or jealousy if her husband were interacting with a female ghost, it is important to note that the ghost is not a living person and lacks a physical presence. Therefore, Lavinia's primary concern is likely directed towards the potential emotional connection between her husband and the ghost, rather than any physical infidelity.

4. **The Humorous Twist:** Finally, Lavinia's relief may also stem from the humor and irony of the situation. The story is a comedic ghost story, and Lavinia's reaction adds to the lighthearted and amusing nature of the narrative. Her relief serves as a comedic relief for the readers, emphasizing the humorous elements of the story.

In conclusion, Lavinia's relief upon discovering that the ghost haunting her husband is not Helen of Troy stems from her concerns about her marriage, her fear of comparison, and the humorous twist in the story. While she may still have some reservations about her husband interacting with a female ghost, her primary worry lies in the emotional connection rather than physical infidelity.

Yes and No. It depended upon what age the female ghost looked like. Lavinia thought Helen looked young and beautiful just like the Helen of Troy. She was afraid John could leave her and marry Helen. But when she came to know that Helen looked old and ugly, she was assured that John would never marry her and thus she no longer objected to it.

Look at the references;

66. "...... Napoleon, or William the conqueror, or Helen of Troy--well, maybe not Helen--anyhow....."

160. "Lavinia looked at that apparition, that owl-eyed phantom, in plaid skirt and shirtwaist, with hair skewed back and no powder on her nose........But she didn't swoon. A broad, satisfied smile spread over her face."

161. "I thought you were Helen of Troy," she murmured.

And, the another line.

164. "My Lavinia felt forgivingly into my arms........"


Regarding 66, you can see that she mentions three names— Napoleon, William and Helen.

Only Helen is the name of a woman there, rest two are men. Now unless John was gay or bisexual, Lavinia would have no problem with him talking to men.

Here, we can say with a bit confidence that John was not gay because he was married to a woman called Lavinia.

Now, in 160, we find that Lavinia feels relieved after looking at the appearance of the old and ugly Helen.

Also, we know by reading 66 that Lavinia had already heard of "Helen of Troy", the beautiful character of Greek mythology.

That's why in 161, she murmurs, "I thought you were Helen of Troy."

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