# The Fate of the Puddlehamites explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

> Chapter companion for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Fenwick returns from London to find the village in turmoil over the impending demolition of the Methodist chapel built opposite the vicarage. Lord St. George intervenes to correct the mistake, arranging for the chapel to be moved to a new site. Meanwhile, Gilmore remains in London, refusing to return home or forgive Mary Lowther.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religious Conflict and Toleration

The chapter centers on the dispute over the Methodist chapel's location on glebe land, highlighting tensions between the vicar and dissenters, and the eventual resolution through Lord St. George's intervention.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Courage

Fenwick struggles with the offer of reconciliation from Lord St. George, feeling cheated out of his grievance, yet must decide whether to forgive for the sake of the parish.

### Justice and Prejudice

The chapel's removal is framed as correcting a mistake, but the vicarage servants' fervent hatred of dissenters reveals deep-seated prejudice beneath the surface.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Fenwick

Returns from London and learns of the plan to demolish the chapel; he attempts to reconcile with Mr. Puddleham and later discusses forgiveness with Lord St. George.

### Harry Gilmore

Refuses to return to Bullhampton or forgive Mary Lowther; authorizes Fenwick to manage his affairs and parts with a pledge to write of his destination.

### Mr. Puddleham

Stands before the chapel with displeasure as the demolition is announced; resists the move but eventually consents to return to the old chapel.

### Lord St. George

Arranges the chapel's removal to a new site, acting on behalf of his father the Marquis; urges Fenwick to let bygones be bygones.

### Grimes

Present at the chapel as a triumphant Bullhampton tradesman, having been recently discomfited.

### Mr. Hickbody

Builder from Salisbury tasked with dismantling and moving the chapel; assures Lord St. George of prompt work.

## Key lines

> They hated Puddleham and dissent. This groom would have liked nothing better than a commission to punch the head of Mr. Puddleham’s eldest son...

The vicarage servants despised the Methodist minister and his followers; the groom wished he could assault Puddleham's son.

_Illustrates the intense local animosity toward dissenters._

> It may be all very true that a man ought to walk, but if you cut off his leg he can’t walk.

Gilmore uses the metaphor of a missing leg to argue that duty is impossible when one is emotionally crippled.

_Gilmore's justification for refusing to return home or forgive Mary._

> What could the Vicar do? He felt that he was being cunningly cheated out of his grievance.

Fenwick sensed that Lord St. George's offer of reconciliation was a clever tactic to avoid admitting the Marquis was wrong.

_Highlights Fenwick's internal conflict between justice and forgiveness._

## Links

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