Barchester Towers · Chapter
Mr. Slope Bids Farewell to the Palace and Its Inhabitants explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Slope, having lost the deanship and been outmaneuvered by Mrs. Proudie, prepares to leave Barchester. He writes to a wealthy widow in London, then confronts the bishop and Mrs. Proudie, who accuse him of improper conduct with Signora Neroni. After a heated exchange, Mr. Slope departs, eventually finding comfort and a new living in London. The bishop resigns himself to domestic subservience, and Mrs. Proudie remains triumphant.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity
Mr. Slope's pious letter to the sugar-refiner's widow contrasts with his worldly ambition; Mrs. Proudie's moral outrage is also self-serving.
Clerical Corruption and Patronage
The struggle for church positions (deanship, hospital) is driven by personal influence and manipulation rather than merit.
Gender and Domestic Power
Mrs. Proudie's dominance over the bishop illustrates the inversion of traditional gender roles within the domestic sphere.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Slope
Leaves the palace after losing the deanship and being confronted by the Proudies; he secures a new position in London.
- Mrs. Proudie
Triumphs over Mr. Slope, accusing him of improper conduct and asserting her authority in the diocese.
- Dr. Proudie
Reluctantly follows his wife's lead in dismissing Mr. Slope; later accepts his subordinate role.
- Signora Neroni
Referenced by Mrs. Proudie as the woman with whom Mr. Slope disgraced himself.
- Mr. Quiverful
Mentioned as having been appointed to Hiram's Hospital, proving Mrs. Proudie's victory.
Key passages
“We must now take leave of Mr. Slope, and of the bishop also, and of Mrs. Proudie. These leave-takings in novels are as disagreeable as they are in real life; not so sad, indeed, for they want the reality of sadness; but quite as perplexing, and generally less satisfactory.”
The narrator reflects on the difficulty of writing satisfying conclusions, comparing novelistic farewells to real-life ones.
The author's meta-commentary on novel endings.
“He sat himself down in his chair, counted out what monies he had in hand for present purposes and what others were coming in to him, bethought himself as to the best sphere for his future exertions, and at once wrote off a letter to a rich sugar-refiner’s wife in Baker Street.”
Mr. Slope pragmatically assesses his finances and writes to a wealthy widow to secure his next position.
Shows Mr. Slope's calculating nature and resilience.
“It is well known that the family of the Slopes never starve: they always fall on their feet, like cats; and let them fall where they will, they live on the fat of the land.”
The narrator notes that Mr. Slope, like his family, always lands in comfortable circumstances.
Ironic commentary on Mr. Slope's survival instinct.