Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter
Prooimion explained
George Arthur Rose, a frustrated and impoverished writer, reflects on his past struggles with the Church and his persistent belief in his divine vocation to the priesthood.
What happens
George Arthur Rose, a frustrated and impoverished writer, reflects on his past struggles with the Church and his persistent belief in his divine vocation to the priesthood. Despite years of rejection and hardship, he remains determined to pursue his calling, even as he grapples with physical pain and creative block. The chapter also hints at mysterious events unfolding in Rome and the horrors of Russia.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Artistic Struggle
George's physical pain, creative block, and years of unrewarded toil highlight his isolation and the difficulty of artistic expression.
Identity and Self-Perception
George's persistent claim to a divine vocation despite rejection reflects his struggle with identity and how he perceives himself versus how the Church sees him.
Class and Social Inequality
George's poverty and the condescension of clerical figures underscore the class tensions within the Church hierarchy.
Characters to notice
- George Arthur Rose
The protagonist, a writer and would-be priest, struggling with physical pain, creative block, and years of deferred hope.
- Hadrian VII
Referenced indirectly through the mysterious events in Rome; not directly present in the chapter.
- Flavio
George's little yellow cat, the only living creature he speaks to with affection.
- Cardinal Talacryn
The cardinal who interviews George about his vocation and offers him the subdiaconate.
- Bishop of Caerleon
Present during the interview, interprets George's remarks and offers to assist at his first Mass.
- Monsignor Cateran
Mentioned as a deposed official whom George had intended to confront but learns has already fallen from power.
Key passages
“Then a harebrained and degenerate priest asked me to undertake another series of pictures. I worked two years for him: and he valued my productions at fifteen hundred pounds: in fact he sold them at that rate. Well, he never paid me.”
A foolish and corrupt priest commissioned me for artwork, valued at £1500, but after two years of work, he never compensated me.
George recounts his exploitation by a priest, illustrating his history of being cheated by the Church.
“I must and will have scope, an outlet for what the President of Maryvale called my ‘talent and energy.’ Literature is the only outlet which you Catholics have left me. Blame yourselves: not me.”
I need an outlet for my talents, and since the Church blocked my other paths, I turned to writing—it's your own fault.
George asserts that his writing is a direct result of the Church's rejection of his artistic and priestly aspirations.
“When I shall have earned enough to pay certain debts, which I incurred on the strength of my faith in the honour of a parcel of archiepiscopal and episcopal and clerical sharpers, and also a sum sufficient to produce a small and certain annuity, then I shall go straight to Rome and square the rector of St. Andrew’s College.”
Once I've earned enough to clear my debts from trusting dishonest church officials and secure a small income, I'll go to Rome to settle matters with the rector of St. Andrew's College.
George outlines his plan to achieve financial independence before pursuing his vocation in Rome.