# XXVII: “I Never Shamed None of Them.” explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

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

## What happens

Mr. Fenwick, feeling pledged to help Carry Brattle, debates whether to intercede with her father or place her in a reformatory. He discusses the matter with Gilmore and Mr. Chamberlaine, who is skeptical of such efforts. Fenwick then confronts the miller, who refuses to forgive Carry, insisting she has shamed the family. Fenwick later speaks with Mrs. Brattle and Fanny, who wish to visit Carry. Mrs. Fenwick supports the plan, and a trip to Pycroft Common is arranged for Wednesday.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and the Fallen Woman

The chapter centers on efforts to redeem Carry Brattle, contrasting Fenwick's compassion with the miller's unforgiving stance.

### Family Duty and Forgiveness

The Brattle family is torn apart by Carry's fall; the miller's refusal to forgive highlights the conflict between duty and mercy.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Courage

Fenwick shows moral courage by confronting the miller, while Mr. Chamberlaine's advice reflects a hypocritical detachment from individual suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Fenwick

Seeks to help Carry Brattle, confronts the miller, and arranges for Mrs. Brattle to visit her daughter.

### Harry Gilmore

Discusses his sorrow over Mary Lowther and considers leaving Bullhampton.

### Mr. Chamberlaine

Argues that special efforts for fallen women are useless and advises subscribing to penitentiaries.

### George Brattle

The miller refuses to forgive Carry, insisting she has shamed the family, and angrily rejects Fenwick's intercession.

### Mrs. Brattle

Desperate to see her daughter Carry, she plans to visit Pycroft Common with Fenwick.

### Fanny Brattle

Supports her mother's plan to visit Carry and offers to help conceal the trip from her father.

## Key lines

> Something must be done about Carry Brattle at once.

Fenwick feels an urgent need to take action for Carry Brattle's welfare.

_Opens the chapter, setting the central conflict._

> He’s very good; to me he’s ever been good as gold. But, oh, Mr. Fenwick, he is so hard.

Mrs. Brattle acknowledges her husband's goodness but laments his unforgiving nature toward Carry.

_Reveals the miller's inflexibility and the family's pain._

> I never shamed none of them.

Carry Brattle insists she has not brought shame upon her family.

_Title quote; reflects Carry's defiance and sense of injustice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxvii-i-never-shamed-none-of-them
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters