# VI explained — The Vicar of Wakefield > Chapter companion for The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. ## What happens The Primrose family enjoys a peaceful evening at home, hosting Mr. Burchell for supper and sharing stories. The next day, they work together in the hayfield, where Mr. Burchell shows particular attention to Sophia. That evening, the Vicar delivers a moral lecture on the dangers of youthful extravagance, using Mr. Burchell as an example, though Sophia gently defends him. ## Themes in this chapter ### Virtue in Adversity Mr. Burchell, despite his reduced circumstances, is portrayed as cheerful and generous, embodying virtue in the face of poverty. ### Hypocrisy and Morality The Vicar's harsh moralizing about Mr. Burchell's past contrasts with his own family's imperfections and Sophia's more compassionate view. ### Family and Paternal Authority The Vicar leads the household with moral instruction, but his authority is gently questioned by Sophia and Moses. ## Character check-ins ### Dr. Primrose Delivers a moral lecture on the consequences of youthful extravagance, using Mr. Burchell as an example. ### Mr. Burchell Visits the Primrose family for supper, entertains the children with songs and stories, and assists Sophia in the hayfield. ### Sophia Primrose Gently reproves her father's harsh judgment of Mr. Burchell and receives his close attention during the haymaking. ### Moses Primrose Defends Mr. Burchell's character and cites an ancient fable to argue against unnecessary cruelty. ### Dick Primrose Offers his part of the bed to Mr. Burchell, demonstrating hospitality, and is rewarded with a lump of sugar. ### Bill Primrose Follows Dick's example by offering his bed to Mr. Burchell, showing generosity. ## Key lines > He by no means wants sense, which only serves to aggravate his former folly. He is intelligent, but that only makes his past foolishness worse. _The Vicar criticizes Mr. Burchell's wasted potential._ > His present indigence is a sufficient punishment for former folly; and I have heard my papa himself say, that we should never strike our unnecessary blow at a victim over whom providence holds the scourge of its resentment. His current poverty is punishment enough for his past mistakes; you yourself have taught us not to add to the suffering of someone already punished by fate. _Sophia gently reminds her father of his own teachings on mercy._ > However dark the habitation of the mole to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apartment sufficiently lightsome. What seems dark and miserable to us may feel comfortable to the person living in it. _Moses argues that we cannot judge another's happiness by our own standards._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/vi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters