# Who Shall Be Cock of the Walk? explained — Barchester Towers

> Chapter companion for Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Bishop Proudie, feeling emboldened by Mr. Slope's hints of support, attempts to assert his authority over his wife regarding the appointment to Hiram's Hospital. He resolves to reappoint Mr. Harding, but when he broaches the subject with Mrs. Proudie, she firmly insists that the place has been promised to Mr. Quiverful. The bishop's courage falters, and he weakly retreats, mentioning Mr. Slope's concerns about public opinion, which only provokes Mrs. Proudie's ire. Later, Mrs. Proudie confronts Mr. Slope about his conduct with Signora Neroni, warning him to know his place.

## Themes in this chapter

### Clerical Corruption and Patronage

The struggle over the hospital appointment highlights how personal and political considerations, rather than merit, dictate clerical positions.

### Gender and Domestic Power

Mrs. Proudie's dominance over the bishop illustrates the inversion of traditional gender roles within the domestic sphere of the palace.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity

The bishop's internal debate and his retreat from confrontation reveal the hypocrisy and moral weakness beneath his episcopal authority.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Proudie

The bishop attempts to assert his independence from his wife, but his courage fails when confronted.

### Mrs. Proudie

She firmly insists that Mr. Quiverful must have the hospital and rebukes the bishop for listening to Mr. Slope.

### Mr. Slope

He offers covert support to the bishop, but later is confronted by Mrs. Proudie about his behavior with Signora Neroni.

### Archdeacon Grantly

He writes to the bishop requesting a meeting about Mr. Harding's reappointment to the hospital.

### Mr. Harding

His potential reappointment to Hiram's Hospital is the central point of contention.

### Mr. Quiverful

He is the current candidate for the hospital, having made arrangements based on the promise of the appointment.

## Key lines

> The conqueror once is generally the conqueror forever after. The prestige of victory is everything.

Once someone wins a power struggle, they usually remain dominant; the appearance of winning is crucial.

_Narrator's reflection on the dynamics of marital conflict._

> Mr. Slope seems to think! said Mrs. Proudie in a tone of voice which plainly showed the bishop that he was right in looking for a breach in that quarter.

Mrs. Proudie's sarcastic repetition of 'Mr. Slope seems to think' made it clear to the bishop that his suspicion of a rift between them was correct.

_Mrs. Proudie's reaction to the bishop mentioning Mr. Slope's opinion._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters