# War explained — Barchester Towers > Chapter companion for Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens The chapter opens with Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Harding discussing the new bishop and his chaplain, Mr. Slope. Grantly is furious at the appointment of Dr. Proudie and the influence of Mr. Slope, whom he sees as a low and dangerous adversary. He resolves to wage open war against them, determined to defend the high church traditions of Barchester. Mr. Slope, for his part, has already planned his strategy, choosing to confront Grantly directly rather than conciliate him. The chapter culminates in Mr. Slope's first sermon in the cathedral, which is delivered with boldness and calculated to assert his authority, leaving the congregation in no doubt of his intentions. ## Themes in this chapter ### Ecclesiastical Power and Politics The chapter centers on the power struggle between Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Slope, each maneuvering for control of the diocese and cathedral. ### Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity Grantly's outrage at Slope's low churchmanship contrasts with his own willingness to use political tactics and social pressure to maintain dominance. ### Tradition vs. Reform Grantly champions high church traditions and ceremonies, while Slope represents a reforming, evangelical approach that threatens established practices. ### Clerical Corruption and Patronage The appointment of Dr. Proudie and the influence of his chaplain highlight the corrupt patronage system that places unworthy individuals in church positions. ## Character check-ins ### Archdeacon Grantly Furious at the new bishop and Mr. Slope, he plans a campaign of high church opposition and vows to make Barchester too hot for Slope. ### Mr. Harding Mildly expresses his dislike of Mr. Slope and Mrs. Proudie, but is more conciliatory than Grantly; he performs the litany during the service. ### Mr. Slope Deliberately plans to antagonize the archdeacon and preaches a provocative sermon in the cathedral, asserting his presence in Barchester. ### Dr. Proudie The new bishop, described by Grantly as a contemptible puppet controlled by others; he takes his seat in the cathedral for the first time. ### Mrs. Proudie Mentioned with disdain by Grantly, who uses a very improper exclamation about her; she is part of the new episcopal household. ### Dr. Stanhope The canon in residence, but absent in Italy collecting butterflies; his place in the pulpit is taken by Mr. Slope. ### Eleanor Bold Mentioned as not being required to call on Mrs. Proudie, according to the archdeacon's decision. ## Key lines > War, war, internecine war was in his heart. He felt that, as regarded himself and Mr. Slope, one of the two must be annihilated as far as the city of Barchester was concerned, and he did not intend to give way until there was not left to him an inch of ground on which he could stand. Archdeacon Grantly felt a deep, destructive conflict brewing within him, believing that either he or Mr. Slope would have to be completely defeated in Barchester, and he was determined to fight until he had no territory left. _This passage captures Grantly's militant resolve and the zero-sum nature of the ecclesiastical battle._ > Mr. Slope had predetermined to hate the man because he foresaw the necessity of fighting him. When he had first reviewed the carte du pays previous to his entry into Barchester, the idea had occurred to him of conciliating the archdeacon, of cajoling and flattering him into submission, and of obtaining the upper hand by cunning instead of courage. A little inquiry, however, sufficed to convince him that all his cunning would fail to win over such a man as Dr. Grantly to such a mode of action as that to be adopted by Mr. Slope, and then he determined to fall back upon his courage. Mr. Slope had already decided to hate the archdeacon because he knew a conflict was inevitable. Initially, he considered winning Grantly over through flattery and trickery, but soon realized that approach would never work with a man like Grantly, so he resolved to rely on bold confrontation instead. _This shows Slope's calculated and strategic approach to the conflict, contrasting with Grantly's more emotional reaction._ > He was a puppet to be played by others; a mere wax doll, done up in an apron and a shovel hat, to be stuck on a throne or elsewhere, and pulled about by wires as others chose. The archdeacon considered the new bishop a mere puppet, a lifeless figure dressed in clerical robes, placed on his throne and manipulated by others according to their will. _This metaphor emphasizes Grantly's contempt for Dr. Proudie, whom he sees as a tool of his chaplain and wife._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/vi-war - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters