The Perpetual Curate · Chapter
III explained
During Passion Week and Easter, Frank Wentworth is preoccupied with church duties and his feelings for Lucy Wodehouse, while his aunts—Cecilia, Leonora, and Dora—arrive unexpectedly at the Blue Boar, threatening his hopes for the Skelmersda
What happens
During Passion Week and Easter, Frank Wentworth is preoccupied with church duties and his feelings for Lucy Wodehouse, while his aunts—Cecilia, Leonora, and Dora—arrive unexpectedly at the Blue Boar, threatening his hopes for the Skelmersdale living and his relationship with Lucy.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Frank and Lucy's unspoken feelings are complicated by family interference and social expectations.
Religious Conflict and Clerical Life
Frank's ritualist practices clash with his aunt Leonora's evangelical views, threatening his career.
Family Duty and Loyalty
Aunt Dora's meddling, though well-intentioned, creates tension and jeopardizes Frank's prospects.
Characters to notice
- Frank Wentworth
Struggles with his feelings for Lucy and the pressure from his aunts' unexpected visit.
- Lucy Wodehouse
Embarrassed by Wharfside's speculation about her and Frank; preoccupied during Holy Week.
- Dora Wentworth
Arrives with her sisters at the Blue Boar, having orchestrated the visit to advance Frank's interests.
- Leonora Wentworth
Severe and intent on hearing Frank preach; critical of ritualism.
- Cecilia Wentworth
The eldest aunt, dignified and affectionate in her greeting to Frank.
Key passages
“Next week was Passion Week, and full of occupation. Even if it had been consistent either with Mr. Wentworth’s principles or Lucy’s to introduce secular affairs into so holy a season, they had not time or opportunity, as it happened, which was perhaps just as well; for otherwise the premonitory thrill of expectation which had disturbed Lucy’s calm, and the bitter exasperation against himself and his fate with which Mr. Wentworth had discovered that he dared not say anything, might have caused an estrangement between them.”
The following week was Passion Week, busy with religious duties. Even if Frank and Lucy had wanted to discuss personal matters during such a sacred time, they had no chance—which was probably fortunate, because the tension and frustration they both felt might otherwise have driven them apart.
Explains how the holy season prevented Frank and Lucy from addressing their relationship.
“My dearest boy —Your aunts Cecilia, Leonora, and I have just arrived at this excellent inn, the Blue Boar. Old Mr. Shirley at Skelmersdale is in a very bad way, poor man, and I thought the very best thing I could do in my dearest Frank’s best interests, was to persuade them to make you quite an unexpected visit , and see everything for themselves.”
My dear boy—Your aunts Cecilia, Leonora, and I have just arrived at the Blue Boar. Old Mr. Shirley at Skelmersdale is very ill, and I thought the best way to help you was to bring them here for a surprise visit so they could see your work firsthand.
Aunt Dora's letter reveals her well-meaning but disruptive plan.
“It was a last offering to that beloved 'district' with which the image of his love was blended; but he would have given his dinner to Lucy’s sick woman any day. Tonight it was a greater sacrifice that was to be required of him.”
Sending his dinner to Lucy's poor client was a small gesture, but the real sacrifice tonight would be facing his aunts and the threat they posed to his hopes.
Highlights Frank's charitable nature and the greater personal cost he now faces.