# XXXII explained — The Perpetual Curate

> Chapter companion for The Perpetual Curate by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Mr. Wentworth receives a note from Miss Wodehouse asking for his advice about Mr. Wodehouse's funeral and a letter from Tom Wodehouse. He visits the Wodehouse home, where Miss Wodehouse reveals her anxiety about Lucy's insistence on attending the funeral and her hope that Tom might reform. Lucy appears briefly, and the chapter explores the tension surrounding the funeral and the family's secrets.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Duty and Loyalty

Miss Wodehouse struggles with her duty to Lucy and her loyalty to her brother Tom, while Lucy insists on attending the funeral despite convention.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment

Mr. Wentworth feels the sting of community judgment and hypocrisy, as those who once welcomed him now treat him coldly.

### Scandal and Gossip

The community's coldness toward Mr. Wentworth reflects the gossip and scandal surrounding him.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Wentworth

Receives Miss Wodehouse's note and visits the Wodehouse home; feels humiliated by the community's coldness but finds comfort in being needed.

### Lucy Wodehouse

Insists on attending her father's funeral; appears briefly in the drawing-room, pale and grieving.

### Mr. Wodehouse

Recently deceased; his funeral is the central event of the chapter.

### Tom Wodehouse

Sends a letter to Miss Wodehouse expressing his intention to attend the funeral and claiming his place as the son.

### Dr. Marjoribanks

Mentioned as having met Mr. Wentworth with satirical remarks.

### Tom Burrows

Mentioned as the only person in the district who does not look askance at Mr. Wentworth.

## Key lines

> It was balm to his soul to have his sympathy once more appealed to, and by those who were nearest to his heart.

Mr. Wentworth felt comforted that someone he cared about still needed his support.

_Shows the emotional relief Mr. Wentworth feels after being shunned by others._

> Lucy has made up her mind that we are to go tomorrow... It was not the custom in my young days, Mr. Wentworth, and I am sure I don't know what to say; but I can't bear to cross her, now that she has nobody but me.

Miss Wodehouse explains that Lucy insists on attending the funeral, which goes against tradition, but she cannot refuse her grieving sister.

_Highlights the conflict between social custom and family loyalty._

> If we could—bury—everything—in dear papa's grave

Miss Wodehouse wishes that all family troubles could be laid to rest with her father.

_Reflects her desire for reconciliation and peace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters