# V: The Passing of a Public School Man explained — Decline and Fall

> Chapter companion for Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh.

## What happens

Grimes, unable to bear the repression of prison life, escapes during a heavy fog by stealing a horse and riding into the heath. Despite a search with bloodhounds and warnings to local farms, he is not found. His hat is discovered floating on Egdon Mire, leading the authorities to presume him dead. The Chaplain prays for his soul and the Governor reports his death to the Home Secretary. Paul, however, reflects on Grimes's indomitable nature and concludes that Grimes is immortal, destined to reappear elsewhere.

## Themes in this chapter

### Futility of Ambition

Grimes's escape and presumed death underscore the futility of his attempts to break free from societal and institutional constraints, as he is ultimately presumed dead.

### Identity and Disappearance

Grimes's disappearance and the uncertainty of his fate highlight themes of identity and the possibility of reinvention, as Paul imagines him reappearing in new forms.

## Character check-ins

### Paul Pennyfeather

Paul works alongside Grimes in the quarry, listens to his complaints, and later reflects on Grimes's escape and presumed death, concluding that Grimes is immortal.

### Captain Grimes

Grimes expresses his inability to endure prison life, escapes during a fog by stealing a horse, and is presumed dead after his hat is found on Egdon Mire.

### Mr. Prendergast

Mentioned as dead in Paul's reflection on mortality.

### Little Lord Tangent

Mentioned as dead in Paul's reflection on mortality.

### Sir Humphrey Maltravers

The Home Secretary is notified of Grimes's presumed death.

## Key lines

> Old boy, I can’t stand this much longer. It just ain’t good enough.

Grimes tells Paul he cannot endure the prison life any longer.

_Grimes expresses his desperation to Paul._

> No one has ever succeeded in escaping from this prison,

Paul notes that no prisoner has ever escaped from this facility.

_Paul's skepticism about Grimes's plan._

> He was a life force. Sentenced to death in Flanders, he popped up in Wales; drowned in Wales, he emerged in South America; engulfed in the dark mystery of Egdon Mire, he would rise again somewhere at some time,

Paul realizes that Grimes is an indestructible force who always reappears after apparent death.

_Paul's reflection on Grimes's immortality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/decline_and_fall_se/chapters/part-iii-v-the-passing-of-a-public-school-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/decline_and_fall_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/decline_and_fall_se/chapters