Lavengro · Chapter
LXXII explained
After being forced to take oil by strangers, the narrator falls into a deep sleep and awakens to find himself in a meadow with Peter and Winifred.
What happens
After being forced to take oil by strangers, the narrator falls into a deep sleep and awakens to find himself in a meadow with Peter and Winifred. They camp under three oaks, and Winifred questions the narrator about God. Peter preaches a sermon on the necessity of a change of heart to a group of locals. Later, they share a simple meal, and a conversation about Welsh language and history ensues before the group retires for the night.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Priestcraft
Peter preaches a sermon on the necessity of a change of heart, and Winifred engages the narrator in a discussion about God and eternity.
Identity and Belonging
The conversation about Welsh language and identity highlights the narrator's outsider status and the cultural pride of the Welsh.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
Recovering from illness, he is taken by strangers to a meadow where he listens to a sermon and discusses God and language.
- Peter Williams
The preacher who saves the narrator, preaches a sermon, and discusses Welsh history and language.
- Winifred
Peter's wife, who questions the narrator about his knowledge of God and shows concern for his spiritual state.
- Mary
The woman of the house who welcomes Peter and Winifred, and discusses the Welsh language and history.
Key passages
“I scarcely know in what spirit thy words are uttered. If thou art serious, however, I would caution thee against supposing that the power of God is more manifested in these trees, or even in those bright stars above us, than in thyself—they are things of time, but thou art a being destined to an eternity; it depends upon thyself whether thy eternity shall be one of joy or sorrow.”
Winifred warns the narrator not to measure God's power by physical objects like trees and stars, but to recognize his own eternal destiny and the choice between joy and sorrow.
Winifred's theological admonition to the narrator about the nature of God and human eternity.
“Croesaw. That is Welsh for welcome.”
Peter offers the narrator milk and says 'Croesaw,' explaining it means 'welcome' in Welsh.
Peter's gesture of hospitality and introduction of the Welsh language.