# XVI explained — The Uncalled

> Chapter companion for The Uncalled by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

## What happens

Fred Brent receives a telegram from Eliphalet Hodges summoning him home. He struggles with his feelings about his father, Tom Brent, who has returned and is dying. After internal conflict, Fred returns to Dexter, where he learns his father is penitent and near death. Despite his initial refusal, he is led by Eliphalet to see his father. Tom Brent dies and is buried, with the Rev. Mr. Simpson preaching a sermon that condemns Fred's rebellion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Parental Legacy and Identity

Fred grapples with the shadow of his father's past and how it defines him, questioning the value of his own moral efforts.

### Hypocrisy and Religion

Fred distrusts his father's repentance as motivated by gain, and the Rev. Mr. Simpson's sermon uses the funeral to attack Fred, highlighting religious hypocrisy.

### Determinism vs. Free Will

Fred questions whether his own struggles matter given his father's past, reflecting on fate and choice.

## Character check-ins

### Fred Brent

Struggles with anger and despair over his father's return, ultimately returns to Dexter and sees his dying father.

### Eliphalet Hodges

Sends the telegram summoning Fred, expresses his own pain at losing Fred to his biological father, and leads Fred to see Tom Brent.

### Tom Brent

Returns to Dexter, is penitent and dying, and is buried on Tuesday morning.

### Mrs. Hester Hodges

Initially wanted to send Tom Brent away, but is now bowed and bids Fred goodbye at the door.

### Elizabeth Simpson

Is brought to the funeral by Bill Tompkins.

### Mr. Simpson

Preaches the funeral sermon for Tom Brent, condemning Fred's rebellion.

## Key lines

> What is the use of it all, my struggle, involuntary though it was, my self-abnegation, my rigidity, when what little character I have built up is overshadowed by my father's past?

Fred wonders why he bothered to be moral when his father's sins erase his own efforts.

_Fred's existential crisis about the value of his own virtue._

> I am as much—no, more than ever your son, Uncle 'Liph. No one shall ever come between us; no, not even the man I should call father.

Fred reassures Eliphalet that their bond is stronger than his biological tie to Tom Brent.

_Fred's loyalty to his guardian over his biological father._

> I shall do all the good I can, Uncle 'Liph, but I shall do it in the name of poor humanity until I come nearer to Him. I am dazed and confused now, and want the truth.

Fred says he will help people for their own sake, not for God, until he finds clarity.

_Fred's shift from religious duty to humanistic motivation._

## Links

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