Lavengro · Chapter
The Armenian explained
The narrator describes his frequent visits with the Armenian, a singular man who combines a love of amassing money with a poetic nationalism and a deep attachment to the Haik language.
What happens
The narrator describes his frequent visits with the Armenian, a singular man who combines a love of amassing money with a poetic nationalism and a deep attachment to the Haik language. The Armenian reveals his ambition to accumulate two hundred thousand pounds and discusses the state of his nation, the schism between those who revere Ararat and those who follow Rome, and an adventure with a papal emissary. He offers the narrator a place as a merchant, citing his irregular features as a sign of potential, but the narrator declines.
Themes in this chapter
Philology and Learning
The Armenian's passion for the Haik language and his desire to translate the fables of Z—— into English highlight the theme of linguistic and literary study.
Religion and Priestcraft
The Armenian's discussion of the rivalry between the Armenian Patriarch and the Pope of Rome, and his encounter with a papal emissary, underscore religious conflict and priestly authority.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
Frequently visits the Armenian, declines offers to translate the Haik Esop and to become a merchant.
- The Armenian
A singular personage with a love of money and national pride; discusses his ambition for two hundred thousand pounds, the state of Armenia, and his encounter with a papal emissary.
Key passages
“I think you would make an excellent merchant.” “Why do you think so?” “Because you have something of the Armenian look.” “I understand you,” said I; “you mean to say that I squint?” “Not exactly,” said the Armenian, “but there is certainly a kind of irregularity in your features. One eye appears to me larger than the other—never mind, but rather rejoice; in that irregularity consists your strength. All people with regular features are fools;”
The Armenian suggests the narrator would be a good merchant because of his irregular features, implying that asymmetry is a sign of strength and that those with regular features are foolish.
The Armenian's peculiar belief that physical irregularity correlates with intelligence and commercial ability.
“I humoured the fellow at first, keeping him in play for nearly a month, deceiving and laughing at him. At last he discovered that he could make nothing of me, and departed with the scowl of Caiaphas, whilst I cried after him: ‘The roots of Ararat are deeper than those of Rome.’”
The Armenian describes how he toyed with a papal emissary for a month before the man left in frustration, and he taunted him with the claim that Ararat's foundations are deeper than Rome's.
The Armenian's pride in his national heritage and his contempt for Roman Catholic influence.