The New Government explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Politics and Patronage

  The chapter focuses on the formation of the new government, the distribution of offices, and the maneuvering of political figures like Mr. Daubeny, Mr. Mildmay, and Mr. Gresham.

• Ambition and Social Mobility

  Phineas Finn feels left out and frustrated by his lack of advancement, highlighting his ambition and the challenges of social mobility in political circles.

• The Cost of Ambition

  Laurence Fitzgibbon comments on the salary of his office and the debts he owes, illustrating the financial burdens that accompany political ambition.

Characters to notice

• Phineas Finn

  Feels left out as the new government is formed without any offer to him; discusses Mr. Kennedy's refusal with Lady Laura; agrees to go to Mayo with Laurence Fitzgibbon.

• Lady Laura Standish

  Discusses Mr. Kennedy's refusal of office with Phineas; defends Mr. Kennedy's independence; tells Phineas about Lord Chiltern's expulsion from Oxford and cries.

• Mr. Kennedy

  Refuses an offer of office (not in the Cabinet but of high dignity), which Phineas finds disappointing.

• Laurence Fitzgibbon

  Becomes a junior Lord of the Treasury; claims a promise from Phineas to assist at his reelection in Mayo.

• Barrington Erle

  Goes to the Admiralty as Secretary; expresses fear of Mr. Gresham breaking up the party.

• Lord Chiltern

  Mentioned as having been expelled from Christ Church for being drunk, as told by Lady Laura.

• Mr. Daubeny

  Announces the resignation of Lord de Terrier and the summoning of Mr. Mildmay; speaks with honey-flowing words about his party.

• Mr. Mildmay

  Becomes Prime Minister; summoned to Windsor; forms the new government.

Key passages

• “The very men who had discussed with him the question of the division⁠—who had discussed it with him because his vote was then as good as that of any other member⁠—did not care to talk to him about the distribution of places.”

  The same people who had consulted him about the vote now ignored him when it came to discussing who would get government positions.

  Phineas feels excluded from the inner circle now that the government is being formed.

• “I don’t believe that, said Fitzgibbon. People seem to think that he has got a head on his shoulders, though he has got no tongue in it.”

  Fitzgibbon disagrees, saying that people consider Kennedy intelligent even if he is not talkative.

  Discussion about Mr. Kennedy's reputation and why he was offered an office.

• “A thousand a year! said Laurence Fitzgibbon, speaking of the salary of his office. It isn’t much; is it? And every fellow to whom I owe a shilling will be down upon me.”

  Laurence Fitzgibbon complains that his salary of a thousand a year is small and that his creditors will immediately demand payment.

  Fitzgibbon reflects on the financial pressures of his new position.