Barchester Towers · Chapter
The Bishop's Chaplain explained
This chapter introduces the Rev.
What happens
This chapter introduces the Rev. Mr. Slope, his background, character, and ambitions. It details his lineage, his time at Cambridge, his role as a preacher in London, and his relationship with the Proudie family, including a failed courtship with Olivia Proudie. As Dr. Proudie is appointed Bishop of Barchester, Mr. Slope resolves to become the de facto bishop by outmaneuvering both the bishop and Mrs. Proudie, leveraging his position as chaplain and his knowledge of diocesan affairs.
Themes in this chapter
Clerical Corruption and Patronage
Mr. Slope's plan to effectively become Bishop of Barchester by manipulating Dr. Proudie and controlling diocesan patronage illustrates the corrupting influence of clerical power.
Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity
Mr. Slope's severe public denunciations of sin contrast with his private ambition, cunning, and willingness to fawn and cajole, highlighting his hypocrisy.
Gender and Domestic Power
Mrs. Proudie's desire to be 'Bishop of Barchester' and Mr. Slope's plan to 'emancipate the husband' from her influence underscore the struggle for domestic and ecclesiastical power between men and women.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Slope
Introduced in depth: his ambitions, his manipulative nature, his pulpit eloquence aimed at women, his strict Low Church views, and his plan to become the effective Bishop of Barchester.
- Mrs. Proudie
Mentioned as a powerful figure who also covets the power and patronage of the see, and whom Mr. Slope plans to outmaneuver.
- Dr. Proudie
Shown as the newly appointed Bishop of Barchester, sleeping in the railway carriage, with Mr. Slope plotting to dominate him and emancipate him from his wife's influence.
- Olivia Proudie
Mentioned as the eldest Proudie daughter with whom Mr. Slope had a failed romantic affair; she rejected him after he withdrew his declaration upon learning of the doctor's lack of funds.
- Archdeacon Grantly
Contrasted with Mr. Slope: the Archdeacon is described as a ruler who maintains power through wisdom and gentlemanly conduct, unlike Slope's intrusive and manipulative style.
Key passages
“Mr. Slope, however, flattered himself that he could outmanoeuvre the lady. She must live much in London, while he would always be on the spot. She would necessarily remain ignorant of much, while he would know everything belonging to the diocese.”
Mr. Slope believed he could outwit Mrs. Proudie because she would be away in London while he remained in Barchester, giving him superior knowledge of diocesan affairs.
Reveals Mr. Slope's strategic thinking and his confidence in his ability to control the diocese.
“If all other means failed, he could join the bishop against his wife, inspire courage into the unhappy man, lay an axe to the root of the woman’s power, and emancipate the husband.”
As a last resort, Mr. Slope planned to ally with the bishop against Mrs. Proudie, giving the bishop courage to break free from his wife's control.
Highlights Mr. Slope's manipulative nature and his view of the bishop as weak and dominated by his wife.
“His sermons he deals greatly in denunciations, excites the minds of his weaker hearers with a not unpleasant terror, and leaves an impression on their minds that all mankind are in a perilous state, and all womankind, too, except those who attend regularly to the evening lectures in Baker Street.”
Mr. Slope's sermons use fear to captivate his audience, especially women, making them feel that only those who attend his lectures are safe from damnation.
Illustrates Mr. Slope's manipulative preaching style and his focus on female followers.