The Triumph of the Giants explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Patronage and Power

  The chapter focuses on the political maneuvering around the change of government and the bishop bill, highlighting how patronage and power shifts affect characters like Archdeacon Grantly and Harold Smith.

• Social Ambition and Class

  Griselda Grantly's ambition for her father to become a bishop and her desire to snub the Miss Proudies illustrates social climbing within the church hierarchy.

• Gossip and Public Opinion

  The characters discuss the political changes and their implications, with gossip about who will be appointed and the opposition to the bishop bill.

Characters to notice

• Harold Smith

  Loses his position as a cabinet minister when the ministry resigns.

• Nathaniel Sowerby

  Writes to Mark Robarts about the ministry's fall and the patronage that came to Framley.

• Mark Robarts

  Is reminded by Sowerby of the benefit he received from the fallen ministry.

• Dr. Grantly

  Returns to London hoping for a bishopric, but learns the gods will oppose the bishop bill.

• Mrs. Grantly

  Shares her husband's anxiety about the bishop bill and discusses Griselda's prospects with Lady Lufton.

• Griselda Grantly

  Shows animation at the prospect of her father becoming a bishop and snubbing the Miss Proudies.

• Lady Lufton

  Discusses Griselda's potential marriage to Lord Lufton with Mrs. Grantly.

• Miss Dunstable

  Suggests Christian resignation to Mrs. Harold Smith, who scoffs at the idea.

Key passages

• “this degradation?” And she put her deeply-laced handkerchief up to her eyes. “Christian resignation,” suggested Miss Dunstable. “Fiddlestick!” said Mrs. Harold Smith.”

  Mrs. Harold Smith laments her loss of status, and Miss Dunstable suggests she practice Christian resignation, which Mrs. Smith dismisses.

  Shows Mrs. Harold Smith's distress at losing her position as a cabinet minister's wife.

• “It is easy to love one’s enemy when one is making fine speeches; but so difficult to do so in the actual everyday work of life.”

  It is easy to speak kindly of opponents in public, but hard to maintain that goodwill in practical matters.

  Reflects on the hypocrisy of political civility.

• “I don’t think she will ever allow herself to indulge in an unauthorized passion,” said Mrs. Grantly. “I am sure she will not,” said Lady Lufton, with ready agreement, fearing perhaps in her heart that Griselda would never indulge in any passion, authorized or unauthorized.”

  Mrs. Grantly says Griselda will not have an improper romance, and Lady Lufton agrees, though she worries Griselda may never feel passion at all.

  Highlights the mothers' views on Griselda's emotional restraint.

• ““I shall so like to be able to snub those Miss Proudies.””

  Griselda looks forward to being able to look down on the Miss Proudies if her father becomes a bishop.

  Shows Griselda's social ambition and rivalry.