The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
Bullhampton News explained
Miss Marrable informs Mrs.
What happens
Miss Marrable informs Mrs. Fenwick that Mary Lowther's engagement to Captain Marrable is ended, prompting Mrs. Fenwick to share the news with Harry Gilmore, who remains devoted to Mary. Meanwhile, the Vicar learns that a new Methodist chapel, Salem, is to be built opposite the vicarage gates, a deliberate provocation by the Marquis of Trowbridge. Fenwick resolves to remonstrate with the Marquis while maintaining civility with Mr. Puddleham. The chapter also notes the strained relations between Fenwick and old Brattle, and the ongoing mystery of Carry Brattle's whereabouts.
Themes in this chapter
Religious Conflict and Toleration
The deliberate placement of the Methodist chapel opposite the vicarage gates escalates the simmering religious rivalry, testing Fenwick's commitment to toleration.
Love and Marriage
Gilmore's unwavering devotion to Mary, despite her love for another, highlights the complexities of love, waiting, and the hope of eventual marriage.
Hypocrisy and Moral Courage
Fenwick's outward civility to Mr. Puddleham while inwardly seething and planning to remonstrate with the Marquis illustrates the tension between public tolerance and private resentment.
Characters to notice
- Mary Lowther
Her engagement to Captain Marrable has ended; she bears her burden well but still suffers from the loss.
- Harry Gilmore
Receives news of Mary's broken engagement via Mrs. Fenwick; remains steadfastly devoted and willing to wait.
- Mr. Fenwick
Learns of the new Methodist chapel being built opposite the vicarage; decides to write to the Marquis in remonstrance while avoiding a quarrel with Mr. Puddleham.
- Janet Fenwick
Boils with passion over the chapel's placement; delivers Miss Marrable's letter to Gilmore and counsels patience.
- Miss Marrable
Writes to Mrs. Fenwick to inform her of the broken engagement, fulfilling her promise to Gilmore.
- George Brattle
Remains cold toward Fenwick, avoiding him since the Vicar's attempt to discuss Carry.
Key passages
“All the same, I wish it had been a little farther from my gate.”
Fenwick, though outwardly cheerful, privately regrets that the new chapel is being built so close to his home.
Reveals Fenwick's diplomatic restraint and underlying frustration.
“It is the meanest thing I ever heard of in my life.”
Mrs. Fenwick expresses outrage at the Marquis's deliberate provocation in siting the chapel.
Highlights the personal and communal stakes of the chapel dispute.
“I shall write to the Marquis and remonstrate. It will probably be of no avail; but I think I ought to do so for the sake of those who come after me.”
Fenwick decides to formally protest the chapel's location, even if it proves futile, to set a precedent for future vicars.
Shows Fenwick's sense of duty and long-term thinking.
“Of course, he will get her at last; and when he has got her, he will be quite contented with the manner in which he has won her.”
Fenwick believes that Gilmore's persistence will eventually win Mary, and that he will be satisfied with the outcome.
Reflects the Victorian ideal of perseverance in courtship.
“I shall never be cured of mine.”
Gilmore insists his love for Mary is incurable, despite Mrs. Fenwick's suggestion that time heals wounds.
Emphasizes Gilmore's romantic constancy and despair.
