# The Election at Baslehurst explained — Rachel Ray

> Chapter companion for Rachel Ray by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The chapter details the Baslehurst election, focusing on the conflict between Mr. Hart and Butler Cornbury. It includes a heated argument between Mrs. Prime and Mr. Prong over voting for a Jewish candidate, leading to their separation. Tappitt speaks for Hart, while Luke Rowan also speaks despite interruptions. Tappitt's foreman Worts decides to vote for Cornbury, causing tension.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Hypocrisy

Mrs. Prime's religious objections to voting for a Jew clash with Mr. Prong's pragmatic approach, highlighting hypocrisy in religious convictions.

### Commerce and Moral Integrity

Tappitt's political maneuvering and Sharpit's advice reflect the intersection of business interests and moral choices.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Prime

Argues with Mr. Prong about voting for a Jewish candidate, leading to their separation.

### Mr. Prong

Defends his decision to vote for Mr. Hart, leading to a rift with Mrs. Prime.

### Mr. Tappitt

Speaks for Mr. Hart at the election and confronts his foreman Worts about voting.

### Luke Rowan

Speaks at the election despite interruptions and a dead cat greeting.

### Butler Cornbury

The opposing candidate, struggles with oratory and longs for the election to end.

### Worts

Tappitt's foreman who decides to vote for Cornbury, causing Tappitt's displeasure.

## Key lines

> a Christian vote for a Jew. All this she said, in a voice not so soft as should be the voice of woman to her betrothed.

Mrs. Prime harshly criticized her fiancé for planning to vote for a Jewish candidate.

_Highlights the religious and gender tensions in their relationship._

> At twelve o'clock on the morning of the election Mr. Hart was declared by his own committee to be nine ahead, and was admitted to be six ahead by Mr. Cornbury's committee.

By noon, Hart's committee claimed a nine-vote lead, while Cornbury's conceded a six-vote deficit.

_Shows the early dynamics of the election count._

> Worts, said he, a day or two before the election, of course you intend to vote for Mr. Hart? Worts touched his cap... I don't jest know, said he. I was thinking of woting for the young squoire.

Tappitt asked his foreman Worts about his vote, and Worts replied he was considering voting for Cornbury.

_Illustrates the conflict between employer and employee over political loyalty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xxiv-the-election-at-baslehurst
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/rachel_ray_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters