# Startup Farm explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

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

## What happens

Mr. Fenwick visits Startup Farm to persuade George Brattle and his wife to take in their fallen sister Carry, but both refuse, citing her disgrace and the threat to their own family's respectability. Fenwick returns to Salisbury, arranges for Carry's board with Mrs. Stiggs, and urges her to attend cathedral services.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and the Fallen Woman

Fenwick's mission to rescue Carry contrasts sharply with the Brattles' refusal to forgive or shelter her, highlighting the tension between Christian mercy and societal condemnation.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Courage

Mrs. Brattle's self-righteous rejection of Carry, despite her own family's imperfections, exemplifies the hypocrisy Fenwick rails against.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Fenwick

Visits Startup Farm to plead for Carry's acceptance; rebuffed by both George and Mrs. Brattle; arranges for Carry's lodging with Mrs. Stiggs.

### George Brattle

Farmer at Startup; initially resistant to helping Carry, offers money but refuses her a home; ultimately leaves decision to his wife.

### Mrs. Brattle

George's wife; fiercely opposes taking in Carry, citing her own children's reputation and the family's decency; dismisses Fenwick's pleas.

### Carry Brattle

The fallen sister; not present at Startup but is the subject of the discussion; Fenwick secures her board with Mrs. Stiggs.

## Key lines

> I don't know as I does, Muster Fenwick.

George Brattle admits he does not feel love for his sister Carry anymore.

_Reveals the emotional distance and resentment within the family._

> Take her in here? shrieked the woman.

Mrs. Brattle is horrified at the suggestion of housing Carry at Startup Farm.

_Shows the depth of her opposition and fear of social contamination._

> Them days and ours isn't the same, Mr. Fenwick, and you can't make 'em the same.

Mrs. Brattle dismisses the biblical example of Mary Magdalene as irrelevant to her own time.

_Illustrates the clash between religious ideals and practical social norms._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xli-startup-farm
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters