# V: “Then We Must Go” explained — Dr. Wortle’s School

> Chapter companion for Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Dr. Wortle, after his interview with Mr. Peacocke, reflects on the potential danger to his school's reputation if the secret becomes known. He is approached by Mr. Pearson and Mr. Puddicombe about the curacy, with the latter implying the Bishop's knowledge. Meanwhile, Mr. Peacocke and his wife discuss the necessity of confessing everything to the Doctor, concluding that they must leave Bowick if the truth is revealed. The Doctor, though outwardly maintaining his composure, grows increasingly uneasy about the mystery surrounding the Peacockes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reputation and Scandal

The Doctor's fear of scandal damaging his school's reputation, and the Peacockes' awareness of the social consequences of their secret.

### Moral Hypocrisy

The Doctor's internal conflict between his public duty to the school and his private loyalty to Mr. Peacocke, reflecting the tension between outward respectability and inner conscience.

### Integrity and Conscience

Mr. Peacocke's decision to tell the truth despite the personal cost, and the Doctor's struggle with his own integrity.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Wortle

Struggles with his duty to the school versus his loyalty to Mr. Peacocke; maintains outward calm while internally anxious.

### Mr. Peacocke

Decides that the truth must be told to the Doctor, accepting the likely consequence of leaving Bowick.

### Mrs. Peacocke

Expresses regret and sorrow, feeling she is a curse to her husband, but supports his decision to confess.

### Mr. Puddicombe

Asks pointed questions about the curacy, implying the Bishop's involvement and adding to the Doctor's discomfort.

### Mr. Pearson

Casually inquires about the curacy, showing the spread of speculation.

## Key lines

> Were he to do so, he would be neglecting a duty much more sacred than any he could owe to Mr. Peacocke.

If he allowed his loyalty to Mr. Peacocke to jeopardize the school, he would be failing a more important responsibility.

_The Doctor's internal justification for prioritizing the school's reputation._

> A secret is always accompanied by more or less of fear, and produces more or less of cowardice.

Keeping a secret inevitably brings fear and can lead to cowardice.

_Mr. Peacocke's philosophical reflection on the burden of secrecy._

> Then we must go?” “Probably.” “At once?” “When it has been so decided, the sooner the better.

If the truth is told, they will likely have to leave immediately, as staying would be unbearable.

_The Peacockes' resigned acceptance of their likely departure from Bowick._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-v-then-we-must-go
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters