Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter
XV explained
Pope Hadrian VII visits St.
What happens
Pope Hadrian VII visits St. Andrew's College, where he interacts with students and staff, recalling his own painful experiences as a student there. He comforts a fastidious, isolated student who struggles with the environment, and later addresses the students, urging them to be kind to all creatures. He also has a conversation with Cardinal Carvale about the college and the importance of showing reverence to Christ.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Artistic Struggle
The fastidious student's isolation and struggle to fit in at the college, living on bread and water, and his fear of future colleagues, highlight the theme of personal and artistic struggle.
Religion and Hypocrisy
Hadrian's critique of the students' cruelty to a cat and the rector's hypocrisy, as well as the tension between outward piety and inner nature, underscore this theme.
Identity and Self-Perception
The fastidious student's self-perception as an outsider, and Hadrian's own reflections on his past identity as a student, explore how identity is shaped by environment and experience.
Characters to notice
- Hadrian VII
Visits St. Andrew's College, interacts with students and staff, recalls his own unhappy student days, and offers comfort and guidance.
- Cardinal Carvale
Accompanies Hadrian to St. Andrew's College, discusses the college and Hadrian's past, and is reminded of his own student experiences.
- Fastidious Student
A student at St. Andrew's who is isolated and unhappy, living on bread and water, and is comforted by Hadrian during a private conversation.
- Rector
The rector of St. Andrew's College, who attempts to manage the Pope's visit and is present during the meal and interactions.
- Vice-Rector
Responsible for discipline at the college, reacts to Hadrian's comments about cat murder and the students' behavior.
- Big Boy
A nineteen-year-old student from a Gaelic farm, visited by Hadrian who learns of his simple story and vocation.
Key passages
“Holiness shut down the lid on memory; and knocked at another door. “Come.” He entered a large bare square room with a window which displayed the City from the Quirinal to St. Peter’s.”
The Pope closed off his memories and went to another room, a large, sparsely furnished space with a view of Rome from the Quirinal to St. Peter's.
Hadrian moves from reflection to action, entering a student's room.
““Dear son, you are one of the unhappy ones. Will you tell Us your grief?” “Sanctity, I have not complained.” “No. But, complain.” “I will not complain.””
Hadrian addresses a student as one of the unhappy, inviting him to share his troubles, but the student refuses to complain.
Hadrian's pastoral approach to a troubled student.
““It is to be hoped that you are not going into the garden to murder a cat:” He said. Everybody instantly became as red as a scalding-hot capsicum, some with shame, one with disgust, others from sheer fear.”
Hadrian suggests the students might be going to kill a cat, causing them to blush with shame, disgust, or fear.
Hadrian's comment exposes the students' past cruelty and creates discomfort.
““Dear children,” he said, feeling as old as Methuselah for the moment, “do learn to love: don’t be hard, don’t be cruel to any living creature.””
Hadrian, feeling ancient, urges the students to learn love and avoid cruelty to any living being.
Hadrian's simple but profound message to the students.
““Nothing?” the Pope whispered. “Nothing.” “Nothing?” (very tenderly) “Everything, O Sanctity:” the stoic responded with a sob and a stony glare.”
When asked what favor he wants, the fastidious student initially says nothing, then breaks down and asks for everything.
The student's emotional response reveals his deep need for connection.
