# The Bishop explained — Dr. Wortle’s School

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

## What happens

Mr. Peacocke's secret becomes known throughout the diocese, and the general opinion is that Mrs. Peacocke should not remain at the school. Dr. Wortle defends his decision to let her stay, arguing that he could not turn her out. He feels compelled to tell the Bishop the whole story, despite his reluctance. The Bishop, while courteous, is concerned about the scandal and the potential harm to the school and the parish. He suggests that Mrs. Peacocke's presence is a misfortune, and the Doctor, in his defiance, states that he will be the judge of his own actions. Meanwhile, Lady Margaret Momson visits Mrs. Wortle and hints that the school may be ruined, suggesting that the Doctor should give it up. Mrs. Wortle is upset by this, and the Doctor reacts with anger, criticizing the world's religion as more odious than its lack of it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reputation and Scandal

The chapter focuses on the diocese's reaction to the Peacockes' secret and the potential damage to Dr. Wortle's school.

### Moral Hypocrisy

Dr. Wortle criticizes the world's religion as 'more odious than its want of religion,' pointing to the hypocrisy of social condemnation.

### Integrity and Conscience

Dr. Wortle's decision to befriend Mrs. Peacocke and let her stay, despite public opinion, highlights his personal integrity.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Wortle

Defends his decision to let Mrs. Peacocke stay, tells the Bishop the story, and reacts angrily to Lady Margaret's hints.

### Mrs. Wortle

Receives a visit from Lady Margaret Momson and is made unhappy by her hints about the school's future.

### The Bishop

Listens to Dr. Wortle's story with courtesy but expresses concern about the scandal and its effects on the school and parish.

### Mrs. Peacocke

Her presence at the school is the central point of scandal, and she remains there while her husband is away.

### Lady Margaret Momson

Visits Mrs. Wortle and suggests that the school will be ruined, hinting that the Doctor should give it up.

## Key lines

> The woman ought not to have been left there. So said the diocese.

The general opinion in the area was that Mrs. Peacocke should not have been allowed to remain at the school.

_This captures the collective judgment of the community._

> It is often a question to me whether the religion of the world is not more odious than its want of religion.

Dr. Wortle wonders if the hypocritical morality of society is worse than having no religion at all.

_This is Dr. Wortle's angry reaction to the social pressure he faces._

> I could not turn her into the street.

Dr. Wortle explains that he could not bring himself to make Mrs. Peacocke homeless.

_This is his primary justification for allowing her to stay._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xi-the-bishop
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters