# IX explained — The Uncalled

> Chapter companion for The Uncalled by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters/ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_uncalled_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_uncalled_se/chapters