The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
LV: Glebe Land explained
On Sunday, July 15th, Mr.
What happens
On Sunday, July 15th, Mr. Puddleham's new Methodist chapel is opened with great fanfare, drawing a crowd and causing tension at the vicarage. The chapel's bell irritates Mrs. Fenwick, but Mr. Fenwick tries to remain composed. The next day, Mr. Fenwick receives a letter from Mr. Quickenham revealing that the chapel was built on glebe land belonging to the vicarage, not the Marquis. Despite pressure from his wife and Mary Lowther to tear it down, Fenwick decides to let the chapel stand, intending only to inform the Marquis of the mistake. Meanwhile, Harry Gilmore presses Mary to set a wedding date, proposing a September marriage and a European tour.
Themes in this chapter
Religious Conflict and Toleration
The opening of the Methodist chapel on glebe land intensifies the conflict between the established Church and Nonconformists, testing Fenwick's Christian charity.
Hypocrisy and Moral Courage
Fenwick struggles with his own hypocrisy, hating the chapel yet striving to act tolerantly, and ultimately shows moral courage by deciding not to demolish it.
Class and Social Power
The Marquis's misuse of power in granting land he did not own highlights class tensions and the abuse of aristocratic privilege.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Fenwick
Struggles with his feelings about the new chapel and the Marquis, ultimately decides not to demolish the chapel despite learning it is on glebe land.
- Janet Fenwick
Expresses strong irritation at the chapel bell and urges her husband to tear down the chapel.
- Mary Lowther
Accompanies Mrs. Fenwick to the school, supports tearing down the chapel, and is being pressured by Harry Gilmore to set a wedding date.
- Harry Gilmore
Dines at the vicarage and presses Mary to name a day for their wedding, proposing a September marriage and European honeymoon.
- Mr. Puddleham
Preaches for the first time in the new chapel, which is a success despite incomplete fittings.
- Lord Trowbridge
The Marquis is blamed by Fenwick for the chapel dispute, having given away land that was not his to give.
Key passages
“The building had been hurried on through the early summer in order that this might be achieved; and although the fittings were not completed, and the outward signs of the masons and labourers had not been removed—although the heaps of mortar were still there, and time had not yet sufficed to have the chips cleared away—on Sunday the fifteenth of July the chapel was opened.”
The chapel was rushed to completion for its opening on July 15th, even though it was still unfinished with mortar heaps and debris around.
Describes the hurried state of the chapel's construction.
“In his heart of hearts he hated the chapel, and, in spite of all his endeavours to the contrary, his feelings towards Mr. Puddleham were not those which the Christian religion requires one neighbour to bear to another.”
Deep down, Fenwick despised the chapel and struggled to feel Christian charity toward Mr. Puddleham.
Reveals Fenwick's internal conflict between duty and emotion.
“On no consideration whatever would he have the chapel pulled down. It was necessary for his purpose that he should have his triumph over the Marquis—and he would have it. But the chapel had been built for a good purpose which it would adequately serve, and let what might be said to him by his wife or others, he would not have a brick of it disturbed.”
Fenwick decided he would not demolish the chapel, wanting to triumph over the Marquis by letting it stand, as it served a good purpose.
Fenwick's final resolution regarding the chapel.
