# The New Dean Takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New Warden of the Hospital explained — Barchester Towers > Chapter companion for Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens Mr. Harding and Archdeacon Grantly travel to Oxford to enlist the Master of Lazarus in securing the deanery for Mr. Arabin. After a week of lobbying in London, their efforts succeed, and Mr. Arabin is appointed Dean of Barchester. Mr. Harding then introduces Mr. Quiverful as the new warden of Hiram's Hospital, walking arm-in-arm with him to ease the transition and ensure the bedesmen's respect. ## Themes in this chapter ### Clerical Corruption and Patronage The appointment of Mr. Arabin as dean is secured through a network of personal connections, lobbying, and political maneuvering, highlighting the patronage system in the Church of England. ### Personal Integrity vs. Ambition Mr. Harding's selfless promotion of Mr. Arabin over himself contrasts with the archdeacon's ambition to defeat Mr. Slope, while Mr. Quiverful's gratitude underscores the moral complexities of accepting a position that displaces a beloved predecessor. ### Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity The archdeacon believes he has 'trampled upon Mr. Slope,' but the narrative notes that circumstances, not he, were responsible, revealing the ambiguity of moral credit in ecclesiastical politics. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Harding Leads the effort to install Mr. Arabin as dean and later personally introduces Mr. Quiverful to the hospital, demonstrating his selflessness and sensitivity to others' feelings. ### Archdeacon Grantly Accompanies Mr. Harding to Oxford and London, using his influence to promote Mr. Arabin and thwart Mr. Slope, though he takes more credit than due. ### Mr. Arabin Appointed Dean of Barchester through the combined efforts of Mr. Harding, the archdeacon, and the Master of Lazarus; his engagement to Eleanor is a factor in the scheme. ### Mr. Quiverful Gratefully accepts the wardenship of Hiram's Hospital, moved by Mr. Harding's kindness in personally introducing him to the bedesmen. ### Dr. Gwynne The Master of Lazarus, instrumental in lobbying the government to offer the deanery to Mr. Arabin after being persuaded by Mr. Harding and the archdeacon. ### Eleanor Bold Receives her father with mixed emotions—grief that he remains without preferment and joy that he has secured the deanery for Mr. Arabin; she insists her father live with them. ## Key lines > It might be the means you know, Master, of keeping Mr. Slope out, said the archdeacon with grave caution. The archdeacon suggested that appointing Mr. Arabin would prevent Mr. Slope from getting the deanery. _Shows the archdeacon's primary motive is to block his rival rather than purely support Mr. Arabin._ > He was, if not as pious, at any rate as wise as St. Paul, and had been with so much effect all things to all men that, though he was great among the dons of Oxford, he had been selected for the most favourite seat on the bench by a Whig prime minister. The Bishop of Belgravia was politically astute, adapting his behavior to win favor across parties, which led to his appointment by a Whig government. _Highlights the political pragmatism behind ecclesiastical appointments._ > In a silent, decent, clerical manner they toasted Mr. Arabin with full bumpers of claret. The three clergymen celebrated Mr. Arabin's appointment with a restrained but hearty toast of wine. _Illustrates the subdued yet joyful celebration of their successful lobbying._ > He had that nice appreciation of the feelings of others which belongs of right exclusively to women. Mr. Harding possessed a keen sensitivity to others' emotions, a trait typically associated with women in that era. _Contrasts Mr. Harding's empathy with the more pragmatic, masculine approach of the archdeacon._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/lii-the-new-dean-takes-possession-of-the-deanery-and-the-new-warden-of-the-hospital - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters