# Part II: The Result explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The narrator and Grimes visit the home of Mackenzie, a once-gentleman scholar now ruined by drink. They find him in a drunken stupor, his children neglected, and his wife in police custody. The narrator discovers that Mackenzie has burned the Doctor's manuscript in a fit of despair. Later, Mackenzie commits suicide, and an inquest is held. The narrator reflects on Mackenzie's tragic life, his fall from grace, and his wasted intellect.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Failure

Mackenzie's wasted potential as a scholar and his tragic descent into alcoholism illustrate the theme of ambition thwarted by personal failings.

### Morality and Hypocrisy

The contrast between Mackenzie's gentlemanly origins and his degraded state, as well as the moral judgments of those around him, highlight societal hypocrisy.

### Economic Hardship and Charity

The poverty of Mackenzie's family, the charity of Grimes, and the Doctor's reflections on mercy underscore the economic struggles of the lower orders.

## Character check-ins

### Julius Mackenzie

Found in a drunken stupor at home; later commits suicide by hanging; a once-brilliant scholar ruined by drink.

### Mr. Grimes

The publican who helps care for Mackenzie and assists the narrator in searching for the Doctor's papers.

### Mrs. Grimes

Provides background on Mackenzie's life and the burning of the manuscript; expresses pity for him.

### Dr. Freeborn

The Doctor whose manuscript was burned; accompanies the narrator to the inquest and reflects on Mackenzie's fate.

## Key lines

> It was almost as though he were laying out one that was dead.

Grimes handled Mackenzie's unconscious body with the care of preparing a corpse.

_Foreshadows Mackenzie's eventual suicide._

> The whole fireplace was strewn with half-burnt sheets of manuscript.

The fireplace was covered with partially burned pages of the Doctor's manuscript.

_Reveals the destruction of the Doctor's work._

> He was not penniless, for he had sent the children out with money for their breakfasts, giving special caution as to the youngest, a little toddling thing of three years old;—and then he had done it.

Before killing himself, Mackenzie gave his children money for breakfast and carefully instructed them about the youngest child.

_Highlights Mackenzie's final act of care before his suicide._

> His life, as he had himself owned, had indeed been a mistake.

Mackenzie himself admitted that his life was a failure.

_Summarizes the theme of wasted potential._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/part-ii-the-result
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters