The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane · Chapter
Disintegration by Degrees explained
Zachariah settles in Manchester in early 1815, joins the Hampden Club, and drifts from organized religion as political fervor grows.
What happens
Zachariah settles in Manchester in early 1815, joins the Hampden Club, and drifts from organized religion as political fervor grows. By 1816, working-class suffering intensifies, and Zachariah is reunited with Major Maitland, Caillaud, and Pauline. His marriage to Mrs. Coleman becomes emotionally neutral, and she grows jealous of Pauline. The chapter explores Zachariah's inner transformation and the widening gap between him and his wife.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Inequality
The chapter highlights the intolerable conditions of the working classes in 1816, with rising wheat prices, incendiarism, and the proposal of a march of the unemployed on London.
Political Reform and Revolution
Zachariah's involvement with the Hampden Club and the growing radicalism among workers reflect the push for political change.
Love and Marriage
Zachariah's marriage to Mrs. Coleman is emotionally barren; his wife's jealousy of Pauline and her obsession with order contrast with his yearning for connection.
Suffering and Resilience
Zachariah endures a stifling marriage and social isolation, finding solace in Byron's poetry and political activism.
Characters to notice
- Zachariah Coleman
Settles in Manchester, joins the Hampden Club, becomes politically radicalized, and reunites with Maitland, Caillaud, and Pauline.
- Mrs. Zachariah
Zachariah's wife; obsessively orderly, resentful of interruptions, and develops jealousy toward Pauline.
- Major Maitland
Reunites with Zachariah in Manchester; charms Mrs. Zachariah and hints at political activities.
- Pauline
Returns with her father Caillaud; openly hostile to Mrs. Zachariah, whom she predicts will kill her husband.
- Jean Caillaud
Pauline's father; returns with the Major and Pauline, formal toward Mrs. Zachariah.
- Mr. Bradshaw
Corresponds with Zachariah; his absence is felt as a spiritual loss.
- William Ogden
Mentioned as a member of the Hampden Club alongside Bamford.
Key passages
“From 1816 downwards it may be questioned whether he would not have felt himself more akin with any of his democratic friends, who were really in earnest over the great struggle, than with a sleek half Tory professor of the gospel, however orthodox he might have been.”
After 1816, Zachariah likely felt closer to his radical democratic comrades than to any complacent, conservative preacher.
Zachariah's political radicalization distances him from conventional religion.
“She was the born natural enemy of dirt, dust, untidiness, and of every kind of irregularity, as the cat is the born natural enemy of the mouse.”
Mrs. Zachariah had an innate, fierce hatred of mess and disorder, like a cat's instinct to hunt mice.
Describes Mrs. Zachariah's obsessive need for order.
“If she lives she will kill her husband.”
Pauline predicts that Mrs. Zachariah's behavior will ultimately destroy Zachariah.
Pauline's harsh judgment of Mrs. Zachariah after the tense visit.
