# XCIV explained — Lavengro > Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow. ## What happens The narrator engages in a lengthy political and religious debate with the man in black, who argues that Catholic Emancipation will lead to the downfall of the Church of England. The man in black outlines the strategies of the Roman See, including exploiting the lower classes and using violence and bribery to achieve its ends. He criticizes English literary men as sycophants and discusses the role of the Whigs and Radicals in the push for toleration. ## Themes in this chapter ### Religion and Priestcraft The man in black outlines the manipulative strategies of the Roman Catholic Church to regain influence in England. ### Freedom vs. Convention The debate over Catholic Emancipation and religious toleration highlights tensions between liberal reform and traditional authority. ### Social Class and Gentility The man in black criticizes the lower classes as self-interested and easily manipulated, and discusses the sycophantic nature of English literary men. ## Character check-ins ### Lavengro Engages in debate with the man in black about religion and politics. ### The Stranger The man in black who discusses the plans of the Roman See and criticizes English society. ### The Landlord Mentioned as a potential convert to Catholicism due to financial troubles. ### The Reverend Mr. Platitude Referenced as an example of a clergyman who brings the church into contempt. ## Key lines > if the See of Rome in any encounter should chance to be disarmed and its adversary, from a feeling of magnanimity, should restore the sword which had been knocked out of its hand, the See of Rome always endeavoured on the first opportunity to plunge the said sword into its adversary’s bosom The man in black argues that the Roman Catholic Church, if shown mercy, will use any opportunity to strike back against its enemies. _Illustrates the perceived treachery of the Roman See._ > Our church has always armed the brute population against the genius and intellect of a country, provided that same intellect and genius were not willing to become its instruments and eulogists The man in black claims the Catholic Church historically incites the ignorant masses against intellectuals who refuse to serve its interests. _Reveals the cynical view of the Church's tactics._ > It is only in England that literary men are invariably lick-spittles The man in black asserts that English writers are uniquely sycophantic, unlike their continental counterparts. _Highlights the man in black's contempt for English literary culture._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/xciv - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters