Barchester Towers · Chapter
The New Champion explained
Archdeacon Grantly secures Mr.
What happens
Archdeacon Grantly secures Mr. Arabin as the new vicar of St. Ewold's, a strategic move to counter Mr. Slope's influence. He persuades Mr. Harding to resist Slope's conditions for returning to Hiram's Hospital, arguing that Harding must not yield to intimidation. Meanwhile, Mrs. Grantly's remarks about Eleanor Bold's acquaintance with Slope disturb the archdeacon, who reacts with violent disapproval.
Themes in this chapter
Ecclesiastical Power and Politics
The archdeacon's strategic appointment of Mr. Arabin to St. Ewold's is a calculated move to strengthen his party against Mr. Slope and the Proudie faction, highlighting the political maneuvering within the church.
Personal Integrity vs. Ambition
Mr. Harding's reluctance to 'squabble for money' and his fear of public scrutiny contrast with the archdeacon's aggressive defense of church temporalities and his insistence on fighting Slope.
Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity
The archdeacon accuses Mr. Harding of being 'lily-livered' while himself using worldly means to secure church power; Eleanor's innocent interaction with Slope is condemned by her relatives as scandalous.
Characters to notice
- Archdeacon Grantly
Triumphantly secures Mr. Arabin for St. Ewold's; energetically persuades Mr. Harding to resist Slope's conditions; later disturbed by Mrs. Grantly's news about Eleanor and Slope.
- Mr. Harding
Visits Plumstead for advice; initially inclined to abandon the hospital to avoid conflict, but yields to the archdeacon's arguments; returns to Barchester the next morning.
- Mr. Arabin
Agrees to accept the living of St. Ewold's; described as a High Churchman, fellow of Lazarus, a poet and polemical writer, and a thorough gentleman; will stay at Plumstead for a month.
- Mrs. Grantly
Listens to the archdeacon's news; later gives him her view of affairs at Barchester, mentioning Eleanor Bold's acquaintance with Slope, which provokes his anger.
- Eleanor Bold
Mentioned as having spoken to Mr. Slope and expressed willingness to teach in a Sunday-school; her relatives consider her scandalously ill-treated in this matter.
- Mr. Slope
The archdeacon's antagonist; his conditions for Mr. Harding's appointment are rejected; engaged in a controversy with Mr. Arabin over apostolic succession.
- Mrs. Proudie
Mentioned as originating the trash about Sunday-schools and sermons along with Slope; the archdeacon believes the bishop knows nothing about it.
- Dr. Proudie
Mentioned as the bishop; the archdeacon plans to see him without his wife or chaplain present; considered an ass by the archdeacon.
Key passages
“If honest men did not squabble for money, in this wicked world of ours, the dishonest men would get it all, and I do not see that the cause of virtue would be much improved.”
The archdeacon argues that if good people refuse to compete for financial resources, the unscrupulous will seize everything, and virtue will not benefit.
The archdeacon defends the necessity of fighting for church revenues, countering Mr. Harding's pacifist stance.
“I think all quarrels between a clergyman and his bishop should be avoided.”
Mr. Harding believes that conflicts between a priest and his bishop ought to be prevented.
Mr. Harding expresses his desire to avoid confrontation, setting up the central tension of the chapter.
“If she does, by heaven I'll never speak to her again. She dragged me into the mire once, but I'll not pollute myself with such filth as that—”
The archdeacon declares he will sever all relations with Eleanor Bold if she continues her association with Mr. Slope, whom he regards as morally contaminating.
The archdeacon's violent reaction to Mrs. Grantly's news reveals his deep animosity toward Slope and his fear of family disgrace.
