Phineas Finn · Chapter
Mr. and Mrs. Bunce explained
Phineas Finn decides to keep his lodgings with the Bunces for the parliamentary session, despite Mrs.
What happens
Phineas Finn decides to keep his lodgings with the Bunces for the parliamentary session, despite Mrs. Bunce's pride in his status and Mr. Bunce's radical political views. Phineas writes to Mr. Low about abandoning his legal career, causing tension. At the Reform Club, political speculation swirls about Lord de Terrier's resignation and potential successors.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Wealth
The Bunces' contrasting views on class: Mrs. Bunce admires Phineas's aristocratic connections, while Mr. Bunce resents the upper classes and fears Labour being 'sent to the wall.'
Politics and Patronage
Phineas's entry into Parliament through Loughshane and the political crisis at the Reform Club highlight the patronage system and party maneuvering.
The Cost of Ambition
Phineas abandons his legal career for Parliament, causing financial strain and conflict with Mr. Low, who sees his ambition as a moth flying to a candle.
Characters to notice
- Phineas Finn
Decides to stay at his lodgings; writes to Mr. Low about giving up law; visits the Reform Club to discuss political crisis.
- Mr. Bunce
A copying journeyman and radical who pays a shilling weekly to a Trade Union; skeptical of Parliament and critical of Phineas's choices.
- Mrs. Bunce
Motherly and proud of Phineas's handsome appearance and parliamentary status; dislikes her husband's politics but values respectability.
- Mr. Low
Phineas's legal mentor; receives Phineas's letter about abandoning law and becomes angry, though he remains just in his assessment.
- Mrs. Low
Savagely advises Mr. Low to have nothing more to do with Phineas after his decision.
- Laurence Fitzgibbon
Phineas's friend at the Reform Club; gives a romancing description of the political crisis and potential successors.
Key passages
“She had a woman’s instinctive partiality for comeliness in a man, and was very fond of Phineas Finn because he was handsome.”
Mrs. Bunce liked Phineas because he was good-looking, as women naturally do.
Highlights Mrs. Bunce's admiration for Phineas's appearance.
“The only respectable man I know,” said Jacob, “is the man as earns his bread; and Mr. Finn, as I take it, is a long way from that yet.”
Jacob Bunce believes that true respectability comes from earning a living, which Phineas does not do.
Shows Mr. Bunce's working-class values and skepticism of Phineas's lifestyle.
“He will never earn bread of his own. He will always be eating bread that others have earned.”
Mr. Low thinks Phineas will never support himself and will always depend on others.
Reflects Mr. Low's anger and disappointment at Phineas's decision.