# Evolution of a Vestryman explained — The Cream of the Jest

> Chapter companion for The Cream of the Jest by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Kennaston develops a theological theory that God is an artist expressing Himself through creation, leading him to embrace orthodox Christianity and become a vestryman. He reflects on how life is always lived in anticipation of a 'tomorrow' that never arrives, and how his own desires—shaped by literature—have been fulfilled but left him disappointed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Illusion

Kennaston views God as an artist and life as a divine artwork, paralleling his own literary creation.

### The Search for Meaning

Kennaston questions the purpose of life and the human tendency to live for a transformative 'tomorrow' that never comes.

### Disillusionment and Cynicism

Kennaston finds that achieving his desires—love, wealth, fame—leaves him disappointed, not transformed.

## Character check-ins

### Felix Kennaston

Develops a theory of God as an artist, becomes a vestryman, and reflects on the disappointment of fulfilled desires.

### Mrs. Kennaston

Delighted by Kennaston's decision to be confirmed.

### Kathleen Saumarez

Recalled in Kennaston's reflection on marriage and the loss of long talks.

## Key lines

> Life seemed to him, in short, a God’s chosen form of artistic self-expression; and as a confrère, Kennaston found the result praiseworthy.

Kennaston believed that life was God's preferred medium for art, and as a fellow artist, he approved of the outcome.

_Kennaston's theological aestheticism._

> Felix Kennaston reflected that, through accident’s signal favor, he had done all he had at any time very earnestly wanted to do; and that the result was always disappointing, and not as it was depicted in storybooks.

Kennaston realized that he had accomplished everything he had ever truly desired, but each achievement fell short of the romanticized versions in fiction.

_The gap between literary ideals and lived reality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters/xvii-evolution-of-a-vestryman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cream_of_the_jest_se/chapters