# III: The Death of a Modern Churchman explained — Decline and Fall

> Chapter companion for Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh.

## What happens

Paul Pennyfeather is assigned a new exercise partner, a religious fanatic who believes he is the Lord's appointed and has killed a man. Paul complains that the man is a dangerous lunatic, but Governor Sir Wilfred Lucas-Dockery dismisses the complaint. The madman later murders Mr. Prendergast with a mallet and saw, an event that passes almost unnoticed. Paul is subsequently transferred to the Convict Settlement at Egdon Heath.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Sir Wilfred's 'reforms' are shown as ineffective and dangerous, leading to Prendergast's death, while the system quickly returns to harsh, traditional discipline.

### Futility of Ambition

Sir Wilfred's ambitious psychological experiments in prison reform result in chaos and murder, underscoring the futility of his efforts.

### Education as Farce

The 'reclamation' program for Paul is a farce, pairing him with a dangerous lunatic, and the Governor's pseudo-psychological approach is mocked.

## Character check-ins

### Paul Pennyfeather

Paul is assigned a new exercise partner, a religious fanatic, and complains about him to the Governor.

### Mr. Prendergast

Mr. Prendergast is murdered by the madman with a mallet and saw.

### Sir Wilfred Lucas-Dockery

The Governor dismisses Paul's complaint and later allows the madman to have carpenter's tools, leading to Prendergast's death.

### Colonel MacAdder

Mentioned as the former Governor who dispensed automatic justice.

### Chief Warder

The Chief Warder advises on discipline and gains more influence after Prendergast's death.

## Key lines

> All crime is a form of insanity. I myself chose the prisoner with whom you exercise. I chose him for his peculiar suitability.

Sir Wilfred dismisses Paul's complaint by asserting that all criminals are insane and that he deliberately paired Paul with the madman.

_Highlights the Governor's misguided and dangerous approach to prison reform._

> Damned lucky it was Prendergast, Might 'ave been you or me! The warder says—and I agree— It serves the Governor right.

The prisoners remark that it was fortunate Prendergast was killed instead of a prisoner or warder, and they blame the Governor for the death.

_Reflects the callousness of the prison system and the lack of accountability for the Governor's actions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/decline_and_fall_se/chapters/part-iii-iii-the-death-of-a-modern-churchman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/decline_and_fall_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/decline_and_fall_se/chapters