Pastors and Masters · Chapter
Chapter VII explained
At a dinner party at the Merry's, the guests engage in lively debates about gender roles, literature, and social expectations.
What happens
At a dinner party at the Merry's, the guests engage in lively debates about gender roles, literature, and social expectations. Francis Fletcher and Miss Basden clash over women's intellectual capabilities and the divorce laws, while Herrick deflects attention from his unpublished book. The conversation also touches on the nature of patience, tolerance, and the reading habits of the attendees, revealing underlying tensions and personal philosophies.
Themes in this chapter
Gender Roles
The chapter features a heated debate between Francis Fletcher and Miss Basden on women's intellectual capabilities, suffrage, and divorce laws, highlighting conflicting views on women's place in society.
Hypocrisy and Appearance
Herrick's deflection about his book and the polite yet cutting remarks among guests reveal the gap between social niceties and underlying tensions.
Education and Authority
Discussions about reading habits and the value of different literatures reflect broader questions about intellectual authority and the education of women and men.
Characters to notice
- Emily Herrick
Engages in sharp banter about gender roles and literature, defends her brother's views, and comments on the dynamics of the party.
- Francis Fletcher
Defends traditional gender roles, expresses discomfort with women's suffrage and divorce law reforms, and admits to reading mainly the Bible.
- Miss Basden
Argues for women's equality, supports divorce law changes, and prefers reading French literature over English.
- Herrick
Dismisses questions about his book, makes philosophical remarks about patience and tolerance, and steers conversation toward Miss Lydia's brooch.
- Bumpus
Makes witty interjections, comments on Herrick's profundity, and jokes about talking to undergraduates.
- Mr. Merry
Hosts the dinner, tries to keep the conversation light, and expresses concern for his wife's absence.
Key passages
“I think that good is bad condensed. I think so, because my brother has told me so. I think a woman ought to think what the men of her family think.”
Emily sarcastically claims that good is just concentrated bad, and that women should adopt the opinions of their male relatives, mocking the expectation of female deference.
Emily uses irony to critique gender norms and her brother's influence.
“I am afraid, Miss Bentley, that I have very little use for books written by ladies for ladies, if I may so express myself; though I dare say I should be the better for them.”
Francis dismisses novels by women as trivial, though he admits he might benefit from reading them.
Francis reveals his condescending attitude toward women's literature.
“I think that these changes in the divorce laws will do a great deal towards equalizing the position of women.”
Miss Basden argues that reforming divorce laws is key to achieving gender equality.
Miss Basden directly advocates for legal changes to improve women's status.