The Uncalled · Chapter
IX explained
Three months after the previous events, Dexter has modernized with paved streets, electric cars, and factories.
What happens
Three months after the previous events, Dexter has modernized with paved streets, electric cars, and factories. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Martin, unchanged gossips, meet for tea and discuss Miss Prime's plan to make Fred a preacher against his will. Fred rebels, arguing with his guardian, and later seeks comfort from Elizabeth Simpson, who also supports the preaching plan, deepening his frustration.
Themes in this chapter
Repression and Authenticity
Fred's outburst against constant duty and obedience highlights his struggle between authentic desires and repressive expectations.
Hypocrisy and Religion
Miss Prime uses religion to enforce her will, while the gossips question the sincerity of forcing Fred into the ministry.
Community and Gossip
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Martin's tea-time conversation drives the chapter, revealing how the community scrutinizes and judges Fred's future.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Sallie Martin
One of the two ancient gossips; she invites Mrs. Smith for tea to share news about Fred's forced path to the ministry.
- Mrs. Smith
The other gossip; she is astonished and disapproving of the plan to make Tom Brent's son a preacher.
- Fred Brent
Now finished high school; he rebels against Miss Prime's plan to make him a preacher, arguing with her and later confiding in Elizabeth.
- Miss Hester Prime
Determined to make Fred a preacher; she arranges for him to work half-days at Mr. Daniels's store and attend the Bible Seminary the other half.
- Eliphalet Hodges
Miss Prime's husband; he tentatively questions whether Fred is truly called to preach, but does not strongly oppose his wife.
- Elizabeth Simpson
Fred seeks her out after his argument; she supports the preaching plan, which further upsets him.
Key passages
“Don't you think the Lord kind o' whispers what He wants people to do in their own ears? Mebbe it wasn't never intended fur Freddie to be a preacher: there's other ways o' doin' good besides a-talkin' from the pulpit.”
Eliphalet suggests that God might communicate His will directly to individuals, and that Fred may not be meant for the ministry.
Eliphalet gently challenges Miss Prime's assumption that she knows God's plan for Fred.
“I'm tired of doing right. I'm tired of being good. I'm tired of obeying God—”
Fred explodes in frustration, rejecting the constant pressure to be dutiful and obedient.
Fred's rebellion peaks as he voices his exhaustion with repressive expectations.
“A panther's cub ain't a-goin' to be a lamb. It's downright wicked, that's what I say.”
Mrs. Smith declares that it is unnatural and wrong to try to make a preacher out of Tom Brent's son.
The gossips express disbelief that Fred, given his father's reputation, could become a minister.