Decline and Fall · Chapter
I: Vocation explained
Paul Pennyfeather is sent down from Oxford for indecent behavior, leading his guardian to cut off his allowance and insist he find work.
What happens
Paul Pennyfeather is sent down from Oxford for indecent behavior, leading his guardian to cut off his allowance and insist he find work. Through a scholastic agent, Paul secures a position as a junior assistant master at Llanabba Castle School in Wales, despite lacking qualifications. He interviews with Dr. Fagan, who hires him at a reduced salary of £90 per year after learning of Paul's dismissal.
Themes in this chapter
Education as Farce
Paul is hired despite lacking qualifications, and Dr. Fagan prioritizes 'tone' and vision over competence, highlighting the absurdity of the educational system.
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Paul's guardian cuts off his allowance under the guise of moral discipline while his daughter enjoys new frocks; the scholastic agent and headmaster casually overlook Paul's dismissal for a fee.
Characters to notice
- Paul Pennyfeather
Sent down from Oxford for indecent behavior; forced to find work; hired as junior assistant master at Llanabba.
- Dr. Fagan
Headmaster of Llanabba Castle School; interviews and hires Paul at a reduced salary; mentions his staff and the school's ideals.
- Captain Grimes
Mentioned by Dr. Fagan as a staff member he may need to dismiss due to lack of 'tone'.
- Little Lord Tangent
Mentioned as a new pupil at Llanabba, son of the Earl of Circumference.
Key passages
“Sent down for indecent behaviour, eh?”
Expelled for improper conduct, are you?
Paul's guardian confronts him about his expulsion from Oxford.
“I think you ought to find some work. Nothing like it for taking the mind off nasty subjects.”
You should get a job; it will distract you from unpleasant thoughts.
Paul's guardian suggests work as a remedy for his disgrace.
“Between ourselves, Llanabba hasn't a good name in the profession. We class schools, you see, into four grades: Leading School, First-rate School, Good School, and School. Frankly, School is pretty bad.”
Confidentially, Llanabba is poorly regarded; we rank schools, and 'School' is the lowest tier.
Mr. Levy explains the low reputation of Llanabba Castle School.