The Last Chronicle of Barset · Chapter
Mr. Crawley Seeks for Sympathy explained
In the early morning after his committal, Mr.
What happens
In the early morning after his committal, Mr. Crawley attempts to leave home despite his wife's pleas, fearing public shame. He visits a brickmaker, Dan Morris, seeking sympathy but finds only complaints about the cost of attending the trial.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Suffering
Mr. Crawley's financial desperation and the brickmaker's complaint about lost wages highlight the economic hardships faced by the poor.
Pride and Humility
Mr. Crawley's pride is wounded by public shame, yet he humbles himself to seek sympathy from his parishioners.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Crawley
Desperate and isolated, he seeks sympathy from his parishioners after being accused of theft.
- Jane Crawley
Mentioned as the only child still at home; she comforts her mother.
- Grace Crawley
Expected to return home that evening, providing a small hope for the family.
- Dan Morris
A brickmaker whom Mr. Crawley visits; he complains about the cost of attending the trial.
Key passages
“You will allow your mind to dwell on nothing for a moment but your own wrongs.”
You think only of your grievances.
Mrs. Crawley accuses her husband of self-indulgent brooding.
“I shall find those up whom I want to see. I must visit my flock, and I dare not go through the parish by daylight lest they hoot after me as a thief.”
I need to see some people, but I'm afraid to be seen in daylight because people might jeer at me as a thief.
Mr. Crawley expresses his fear of public humiliation.
“How's a poor man to live that way? They'll not cotch me at Barchester 'Sizes at that price; they may be sure of that.”
A poor man can't survive on such meager compensation; I won't go to the Barchester assizes again for so little.
Dan Morris complains about the inadequate payment for attending the trial.