The Vicar of Wakefield · Chapter
XIII explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Burchell gives unwelcome advice against the daughters' planned trip to town, leading to a heated argument with Deborah. He departs in offense, and the family reflects on his character. The vicar later questions Sophia about any secret attachment, but she denies it. The chapter ends with the vicar rationalizing the breach of hospitality.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
The family's attempts to appear finer than their station are repeatedly thwarted, and Burchell's true character is debated.
Social Class and Wealth
The vicar warns against associating with the rich, and the family's ambitions to rise socially are central to the conflict.
Hypocrisy and Morality
The vicar's self-justification after the breach of hospitality reveals a moral compromise.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Primrose
The vicar narrates, attempts to moralize the fable, and later reproves his wife for driving Burchell away.
- Mr. Burchell
Dissuades the family from sending the girls to town, leading to a quarrel with Deborah; he leaves in apparent offense.
- Deborah Primrose
Insists on the town expedition, argues loudly with Burchell, and accuses him of having secret motives.
- Sophia Primrose
Attempts to prevent Burchell's departure with her looks; later questioned by her father about any attachment to Burchell.
- Dick Primrose
Recites the fable of the Giant and the Dwarf at his father's request.
Key passages
“Such as are poor and will associate with none but the rich, are hated by those they avoid, and despised by these they follow.”
Poor people who only try to be friends with the rich end up disliked by both groups.
The vicar's moral lesson on social ambition.
“Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent, it seldom has justice enough to accuse.”
Conscience is weak; it fails to stop wrongdoing and then lacks the courage to condemn it.
The vicar's rationalization after the quarrel with Burchell.