# An Editor's Wrath explained — Phineas Redux

> Chapter companion for Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Quintus Slide, editor of the People's Banner, is furious upon discovering that Phineas Finn has obtained an injunction preventing publication of a letter from Mr. Kennedy. Slide feels betrayed and robbed of a sensational story, especially after learning that a rival paper has published a paragraph about the shooting incident involving Kennedy and Finn. He resolves to confront Finn and seek revenge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scandal and Public Opinion

Slide's obsession with publishing the Kennedy letter and the shooting incident reflects the era's appetite for scandal and the press's role in shaping public perception.

### Justice and Injustice

Slide perceives the injunction as an injustice against the public's right to know, while Finn seeks legal protection against defamation.

## Character check-ins

### Quintus Slide

Editor of the People's Banner, enraged by the injunction and the loss of the Kennedy letter story.

### Phineas Finn

The MP who obtained the injunction against Slide, now the target of Slide's wrath.

### Robert Kennedy

The former MP who wrote the letter and shot at Finn; his actions are the subject of the suppressed story.

### Lady Laura Kennedy

Kennedy's wife, indirectly involved as the subject of the letter and the marital discord.

## Key lines

> A rumour has reached us that a member of Parliament, calling yesterday afternoon upon a right honourable gentleman, a member of a late Government, at his hotel, was shot at by the latter in his sitting room.

A newspaper reported that an MP was shot at by a former government minister during a visit to his hotel.

_This paragraph confirms the shooting incident involving Phineas Finn and Robert Kennedy, which Slide laments not publishing first._

> He had been 'done'—'sold,'—absolutely robbed by that wretchedly-false Irishman whom he had trusted with all the confidence of a candid nature and an open heart!

Slide felt betrayed and cheated by Phineas Finn, whom he had trusted.

_Slide's emotional reaction to the injunction, viewing Finn's actions as treachery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxvii-an-editor-s-wrath
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters