XIV: The School of Adversity: The Sixth Form Thereof explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Suffering and Resilience

  Zachariah's physical and mental suffering in the workhouse and his struggle to recover are central to the chapter.

• Religion and Hypocrisy

  The workhouse's neglect contrasts with religious pretensions, and Zachariah's crisis of faith is triggered by scientific reading.

• The Futility of Idealism

  Zachariah's idealistic religious worldview is shattered by the implications of astronomy, leading to despair.

Characters to notice

• Zachariah Coleman

  Awakens in the workhouse infirmary, physically weak and mentally tormented after reading Ferguson's Astronomy.

• Carter

  Visits Zachariah in the workhouse, arranges his rescue, and brings him to her cousin's home in Liverpool.

• Mrs. Carver

  Mentioned as the head nurse or master of the workhouse, whom Mrs. Carter informs of Zachariah's departure.

Key passages

• “When Zachariah came to himself he was in a large, long, whitewashed room, with twenty beds or more in it.”

  Zachariah regained consciousness in a large, whitewashed room filled with over twenty beds.

  Describes Zachariah's awakening in the workhouse infirmary.

• “Her presence was like the southwest wind and sunlight after long northeasterly gloom and frost.”

  Mrs. Carter's arrival brought warmth and relief to Zachariah's bleak situation.

  Metaphor for Mrs. Carter's uplifting effect on Zachariah.

• “He learned something about the magnitude of the planets and the distances of the fixed stars, and noted that his author, pious as he is, cannot admit that planets or stars were created for the sake of man.”

  Zachariah discovered from Ferguson that the planets and stars were not made for humanity's benefit, challenging his beliefs.

  Highlights the scientific revelation that unsettles Zachariah's faith.