# XXIII: Further Development explained — The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane > Chapter companion for The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane by Mark Rutherford. ## What happens Six months after the marriage, Priscilla gives birth to her first child. Nurse Barton, who attended Mrs. Allen when George was born, is engaged despite her dislike for Mrs. Broad. Mrs. Broad pronounces the baby a Flavel, and George feels increasingly sidelined as Priscilla devotes herself entirely to maternal care. George and his father-in-law Mr. Allen are active in the county election, but Mr. Broad refuses to vote, citing his ministerial neutrality. George tries to enlist Priscilla's help to persuade her father, but she is too absorbed with the baby to listen. Mr. Broad's pastoral walk and his consultation with Mrs. Broad reveal his concern for keeping Brother Bushel's support over political principle. ## Themes in this chapter ### Religion and Hypocrisy Mr. Broad uses scripture to justify his political neutrality, while his real concern is maintaining the support of Brother Bushel, a wealthy contributor. ### The Role of Women Priscilla is entirely absorbed in motherhood and ignores her husband's political concerns, while Mrs. Broad exerts influence behind the scenes. ### Tradition vs. Change The election pits traditional Tory interests against Whig reform, and Mr. Broad's neutrality reflects a tension between old church allegiances and new political currents. ## Character check-ins ### Priscilla Broad Now married to George Allen, she gives birth to her first child and becomes entirely absorbed in maternal care, ignoring George's political concerns. ### George Allen Frustrated by his wife's inattention and his father-in-law's refusal to vote, he is deeply involved in the county election campaign for the Whigs. ### Mrs. Broad Installs herself with Priscilla after the birth, pronounces the baby a Flavel, and advises her husband on church politics. ### Reverend John Broad Refuses to vote in the election, citing ministerial neutrality, and consults his wife about the risk of offending Brother Bushel. ### Mr. Isaac Allen George's father, active in canvassing for the Whigs, and disappointed by Mr. Broad's refusal to vote. ### Nurse Barton Old nurse who attended Mrs. Allen when George was born, openly critical of Mrs. Broad's domineering behavior. ## Key lines > Thank the Lord-i-mercy this ’ere job, Mrs. Allen, is near at an end. If it ’adn’t been my dear boy George’s wife, never would I have set foot in that ’ouse. Nurse Barton expresses relief that her work at the Broad house is almost over, saying she only agreed to go because it was for George's wife. _Nurse Barton's frank dislike of Mrs. Broad is revealed._ > Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth. Mr. Broad quotes St. Paul to justify his refusal to vote, arguing that his political action might offend Brother Bushel. _Mr. Broad uses scripture to avoid taking a stand on the election._ > I cannot understand how a Dissenting minister can make up his mind not to vote against a party which has been answerable for all the oppression and all the wrongs in English history. George argues that a Dissenting minister should oppose the Tories, who historically persecuted Nonconformists. _George's political frustration with his father-in-law's neutrality._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters/xxiii-further-development - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_revolution_in_tanner_s_lane_se/chapters