# Chapter II explained — The Vicar of Wakefield > Chapter companion for The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. ## What happens The narrator, Dr. Primrose, describes his family's domestic life and his own philosophical principles, particularly his strict monogamist views. He recounts the courtship of his son George to Miss Arabella Wilmot, which proceeds harmoniously until a dispute over remarriage arises with Mr. Wilmot. The chapter culminates in the revelation that the family's fortune has been lost due to a merchant's bankruptcy, leading Mr. Wilmot to break off the engagement. ## Themes in this chapter ### Virtue in Adversity Dr. Primrose insists on maintaining his principles even after learning of his financial ruin, declaring that poverty will not make him a rascal. ### Social Class and Wealth The loss of fortune directly impacts the family's social standing and leads Mr. Wilmot to break off the engagement, highlighting the importance of wealth in marriage arrangements. ### Hypocrisy and Morality Mr. Wilmot's prudence in breaking off the match after the loss of fortune contrasts with his earlier willingness to proceed, suggesting a moral compromise driven by self-interest. ## Character check-ins ### Dr. Primrose The narrator and vicar, who manages the spiritual affairs of his family and parish, and is a staunch monogamist. ### George Primrose The eldest son, who is engaged to Miss Arabella Wilmot and deeply affected by the loss of fortune. ### Miss Arabella Wilmot The daughter of a neighboring clergyman, described as completely pretty and the object of George's affections. ### Mr. Wilmot A neighboring clergyman and father of Arabella, who is courting a fourth wife and breaks off the engagement due to the Primroses' loss of fortune. ### Deborah Primrose The narrator's wife, who manages the temporal concerns of the family and insists on carving at dinner. ### Olivia Primrose One of the narrator's daughters, who along with her sister does not consider Miss Wilmot completely pretty. ## Key lines > The profits of my living, which amounted to but thirty-five pounds a year, I made over to the orphans and widows of the clergy of our diocese; for having a sufficient fortune of my own, I was careless of temporalities, and felt a secret pleasure in doing my duty without reward. Dr. Primrose gave away his modest clerical income to charity because he had his own wealth, and he took pride in serving without pay. _This illustrates his initial financial security and his virtuous character before the loss._ > I even went a step beyond Whiston in displaying my principles: as he had engraven upon his wife's tomb that she was the only wife of William Whiston; so I wrote a similar epitaph for my wife, though still living, in which I extolled her prudence, economy, and obedience till death; and having got it copied fair, with an elegant frame, it was placed over the chimneypiece, where it answered several very useful purposes. Dr. Primrose composed a flattering epitaph for his still-living wife and hung it over the mantelpiece to remind her of her duties and his fidelity. _This highlights his eccentricity and his strong commitment to monogamy._ > I only wanted to fling a quatre, and yet I threw deuce ace five times running. In a backgammon game, Dr. Primrose needed to roll a four but repeatedly rolled a two and a one, which he later saw as a bad omen. _This foreshadows the impending misfortune._ > Well, if what you tell me be true, and if I am to be a beggar, it shall never make me a rascal, or induce me to disavow my principles. Dr. Primrose declares that even if he becomes a beggar, he will not abandon his moral principles or act dishonestly. _This underscores his commitment to virtue in the face of adversity._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters