# Mr. Crawley Speaks of His Coat explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

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

## What happens

Grace returns home to Hogglestock after the threat of trial is lifted. The dean visits to apologize for the cheque and to invite the family to the deanery, but Mr. Crawley refuses, citing his poverty and the disparity in their social conditions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Humility

Mr. Crawley's refusal of the dean's invitation is a complex mix of pride in his independence and humility about his poverty, as he insists on waiting for the bishop's formal reinstatement.

### Poverty and Suffering

The Crawley family's material deprivation is starkly highlighted by Mr. Crawley's reference to his wife's gown and his own coat as barriers to accepting hospitality.

### Clergy and Morality

The chapter explores the proper conduct of a clergyman under ecclesiastical authority, as Mr. Crawley insists on formal submission to the bishop before resuming his duties.

## Character check-ins

### Grace Crawley

Returns home from Framley after the trial is no longer imminent, determined to be in her own house for Major Grantly's expected renewal of his offer.

### Mr. Crawley

Refuses the dean's invitation to the deanery, citing his threadbare coat and his wife's gown as reasons why they cannot mix socially.

### Dean Arabin

Visits Hogglestock to apologize for the cheque incident and to invite the Crawley family to stay at the deanery, but is rebuffed by Mr. Crawley's pride.

### Mrs. Crawley

Moved to tears by the dean's kindness, but supports her husband's decision not to accept the invitation.

### Jane Crawley

Expresses dislike for Mr. Thumble in a whisper, overheard by the dean.

### Lady Lufton

Mentioned as having been deeply anxious about the trial and making inquiries about Judge Medlicote.

## Key lines

> In the privilege of seeing those places I can almost envy a man his⁠—money.

Mr. Crawley admits that the opportunity to visit the Holy Land might almost make him envious of someone's wealth.

_Mr. Crawley's longing for spiritual experience clashes with his material poverty._

> The reason, perhaps, the most on the face is to be found in my wife's gown, and in my coat.

Mr. Crawley explains that the most obvious reason he cannot accept the dean's invitation is the shabbiness of his and his wife's clothing.

_This line encapsulates the theme of poverty as a social barrier._

## Links

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