The Vicar of Wakefield · Chapter
Chapter XI explained
The Primrose family attends a Michaelmas eve celebration at neighbor Flamborough's, where they engage in rustic games.
What happens
The Primrose family attends a Michaelmas eve celebration at neighbor Flamborough's, where they engage in rustic games. Their merriment is interrupted by the arrival of Lady Blarney and Miss Skeggs, who witness the family in undignified postures. The ladies then engage in a conversation filled with pretentious anecdotes about high society, repeatedly interrupted by Mr. Burchell's exclamations of 'fudge.' Mrs. Primrose, hearing of paid companion positions, proposes her daughters for the roles, listing their accomplishments, but the ladies demur, citing the need for character references.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
The ladies' pretentious conversation about high society, filled with dubious anecdotes and name-dropping, contrasts with the family's rustic simplicity, highlighting the theme of social pretense.
Social Class and Wealth
Mrs. Primrose's eagerness to secure companion positions for her daughters reflects the family's reduced circumstances and their aspiration to maintain social standing through association with the gentry.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Primrose
The narrator observes the family's mortification at being seen in vulgar play, and later approves his wife's plan to secure companion positions for their daughters.
- Deborah Primrose
She eagerly joins the games and later proposes that her daughters apply for the companion positions, listing their accomplishments to Lady Blarney and Miss Skeggs.
- Olivia Primrose
She acts as the family's spokesperson, explaining their absence from church by saying they were thrown from their horses.
- Mr. Burchell
He sits with his face to the fire and repeatedly cries 'fudge' during the ladies' conversation, displeasing the company.
- Miss Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs
She and Lady Blarney arrive during the games, causing mortification. She later discusses companion positions and suggests character references are needed.
- Lady Blarney
She arrives with Miss Skeggs, engages in high-society gossip, and shows particular attachment to Olivia.
Key passages
“But a thing of this kind, Madam, requires a thorough examination into characters, and a more perfect knowledge of each other.”
Miss Skeggs insists that before hiring companions, they must fully investigate the candidates' reputations and get to know them better.
Miss Skeggs politely deflects Mrs. Primrose's offer by citing the need for character references.
“Virtue, my dear Lady Blarney, virtue is worth any price; but where is that to be found?”
Miss Skeggs declares that virtue is invaluable, yet questions where it can be found, implying that few possess it.
This hypocritical remark contrasts with the ladies' own pretentious behavior, underscoring the theme of hypocrisy.
“They can read, write, and cast accompts; they understand their needle, breadstitch, cross and change, and all manner of plain-work; they can pink, point, and frill; and know something of music; they can do up small clothes, work upon catgut; my eldest can cut paper, and my youngest has a very pretty manner of telling fortunes upon the cards.”
Mrs. Primrose lists her daughters' accomplishments, including reading, writing, arithmetic, various needlework skills, music, and fortune-telling.
Mrs. Primrose enthusiastically promotes her daughters' abilities to secure the companion positions.