# In Memoriam explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

> Chapter companion for The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The chapter recounts the reactions to Mrs. Proudie's death across Barchester. Mr. Harding receives the news while playing with Posy and reflects on her with unexpected charity. The archdeacon and Mrs. Grantly discuss the death with frank relief, acknowledging her difficult nature. Lady Lufton and Mr. Crawley also respond, the latter offering a measured judgment. The chapter closes with a description of her monument in the cathedral.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gossip and Public Opinion

The chapter shows how news of Mrs. Proudie's death spreads and is discussed with varying degrees of candor and hypocrisy.

### Clergy and Morality

The reactions of clergymen like Mr. Harding and Mr. Crawley reveal their moral judgments and the tension between Christian charity and honest feeling.

### Pride and Humility

Mr. Harding's humble reflection contrasts with the archdeacon's prideful relief, illustrating different responses to an enemy's death.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Harding

Receives news of Mrs. Proudie's death while in bed with Posy; reflects on her with gentle charity despite past wounds.

### Archdeacon Grantly

Hears the news from the postman and expresses frank relief to his wife, calling Mrs. Proudie an uncomfortable woman.

### Mrs. Grantly

Initially disbelieves the news but soon accepts it; mildly rebukes her husband for speaking ill of the dead.

### Lady Lufton

Hears the tidings and wonders what the bishop will do without his wife, acknowledging her usefulness despite her virago nature.

### Mr. Crawley

Learns of Mrs. Proudie's death from his wife; offers a measured judgment, saying she was earnest in her endeavours to do good.

### Posy

Present with Mr. Harding when the news arrives; solemnly remarks that she won't scold the poor bishop any more.

## Key lines

> She was never one of your idle ones, and I’m quite sure that no man or woman ever heard her say a word against her husband behind his back.

She was industrious and always loyal to her husband in public.

_A character defends Mrs. Proudie's reputation after her death._

> There are men who must have what you call a terribly bad life of it, whatever way it goes with them. The bishop is weak, and he wants somebody near to him to be strong. She was strong—perhaps too strong; but he had his advantage out of it.

Some men are destined to a difficult life regardless; the bishop needed a strong partner, and though she was overbearing, he benefited from her strength.

_A nuanced reflection on the Proudies' marriage._

> I don’t think that kind of thing need be kept up in here, between you and me. She was an uncomfortable woman—so uncomfortable that I cannot believe that anyone will regret her.

We don't need to pretend in private; she was so unpleasant that no one will truly miss her.

_The archdeacon speaks candidly to his wife about Mrs. Proudie._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxvii-in-memoriam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters