Anna of the Five Towns · Chapter
IX: The Treat explained
Ephraim Tellwright's domestic tyranny is explored as instinctive and unquestioned.
What happens
Ephraim Tellwright's domestic tyranny is explored as instinctive and unquestioned. Willie Price visits in response to a rent demand, displaying fawning humility. Mrs. Sutton and Mr. Banks pressure Tellwright into a £25 subscription to the school building fund, matching Titus Price's pledge. Mrs. Sutton then secures Tellwright's permission for Anna to join the Suttons on a trip to the Isle of Man, with Henry Mynors likely accompanying. Anna obtains money for the school treat tickets, and the treat takes place at Sneyd, where Titus Price is absent and Mynors leads.
Themes in this chapter
Patriarchal Oppression and Domestic Tyranny
Ephraim Tellwright's instinctive, unreflective tyranny over his household is described as natural and unquestioned, rooted in tradition and the 'secret nature of things.' His treatment of Anna and Agnes is portrayed as a curse on the house.
Money and Moral Corruption
The rent demand and building fund subscription highlight how money drives relationships and moral compromises. Tellwright's scheming to match Titus Price's pledge backfires, and his parsimony controls Anna's access to even small sums.
Class and Social Mobility
The contrast between the Suttons' wealth and the Prices' struggling business, along with Tellwright's miserly status, illustrates class dynamics. The school treat and Isle of Man trip reflect social aspirations and the importance of appearances.
Characters to notice
- Anna Tellwright
Silent and oppressed by her father's tyranny; blushes and feels shame during Willie Price's visit; overjoyed when Mrs. Sutton secures permission for the Isle of Man trip; obtains florin for treat tickets.
- Ephraim Tellwright
Depicted as a natural house-tyrant, instinctive and unreflective; grudgingly consents to Anna's trip; outwitted into pledging £25 to the building fund; gives Anna a florin for treat tickets.
- Willie Price
Visits Anna in response to the rent demand, displaying craven and fawning humility; shows the letter with Ephraim's final postscript; pleads for time to pay.
- Mrs. Sutton
Visits Tellwright to solicit a building fund donation and to arrange Anna's trip to the Isle of Man; successfully secures both; signals Anna to leave the room during negotiations.
- Henry Mynors
Takes charge of the school treat in Titus Price's absence; mentioned as likely to accompany the Suttons to the Isle of Man.
- Mr. Banks
Minister who visits Tellwright to beg for the building fund; pledges £20 himself; wounded by Tellwright's bluntness; records Tellwright's £25 pledge.
Key passages
“This surly and terrorising ferocity of Tellwright’s was as instinctive as the growl and spring of a beast of prey.”
Tellwright's harsh and frightening behavior was automatic, like a predator's attack.
Establishes the natural, unthinking quality of his domestic tyranny.
“He belonged to the great and powerful class of house-tyrants, the backbone of the British nation, whose views on income-tax cause ministries to tremble.”
He was part of the influential class of domestic despots whose opinions on taxes could shake the government.
Satirical commentary on the social power of such domestic tyrants.
“Willie’s craven and fawning humility was inexpressibly touching and shameful to Anna.”
Willie's pathetic and servile manner moved Anna deeply and made her feel ashamed.
Highlights Anna's empathy and discomfort with the power imbalance.
“The miser foresaw a probable discomfiture, and sought for some means of escape.”
The miser anticipated being embarrassed and looked for a way out.
Shows Tellwright's cunning and his attempt to avoid a large donation.
“Anna retired to her bedroom to savour an astounding happiness in quietude.”
Anna went to her room to quietly enjoy her overwhelming happiness.
Captures her joy at the prospect of the Isle of Man trip.
