# Chapter X explained — The Vicar of Wakefield

> Chapter companion for The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith.

## What happens

The Primrose family, having received attention from their social betters, becomes increasingly preoccupied with appearances and social climbing. Despite the vicar's lectures on contentment, his wife and daughters scheme to appear genteel at church, leading to a comically disastrous attempt to ride plow horses. A fortune-teller's predictions further inflate their aspirations, with Olivia and Sophia believing they will marry a squire and a lord, respectively. The chapter satirizes the folly of the poor attempting to rise above their station.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Wealth

The family's attempt to appear above their circumstances leads to ridicule and underscores the dangers of pride and social ambition.

### Deception and Appearance

The Primroses prioritize outward show over genuine virtue, using horses and finery to project a false image of gentility.

### Hypocrisy and Morality

The vicar's lectures on contentment are ignored by his own family, and he secretly enjoys their mortification as a lesson in humility.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Primrose

The vicar reluctantly agrees to his family's plans for a genteel church appearance, later observing their misfortunes with secret satisfaction.

### Deborah Primrose

Leads the campaign for social display, proposing the use of plow horses and dreaming of her daughters' future grandeur.

### Olivia Primrose

Told by a fortune-teller she will marry a squire within a year, she begins to believe she is in love with Mr. Thornhill.

### Sophia Primrose

Promised a lord for a husband by the fortune-teller, she joins in the family's fantasies of social elevation.

### Moses Primrose

Trims the horses for the church expedition, though the plan ends in mishap.

### Mr. Burchell

Helps by beating the horses forward with his cudgel when they refuse to move.

### The Miss Flamboroughs

Former companions of the Primrose girls, now cast off as mean acquaintance in the family's pursuit of high life.

## Key lines

> I now began to find that all my long and painful lectures upon temperance, simplicity, and contentment, were entirely disregarded.

The vicar realizes his teachings on moderation and humility have been completely ignored by his family.

_Highlights the theme of hypocrisy and the failure of moral instruction._

> The distinctions lately paid us by our betters awaked that pride which I had laid asleep, but not removed.

The recent attention from our social superiors stirred up the pride I had tried to suppress.

_Shows how social recognition reignites the family's latent pride, driving their foolish behavior._

> It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view, are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition.

The time spent looking forward to something happy is often more enjoyable than the reality.

_The narrator reflects on the pleasure of anticipation over actual achievement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/x
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters