The Vicar of Wakefield · Chapter
Chapter XIX explained
The Vicar visits the home of Mr.
What happens
The Vicar visits the home of Mr. Arnold, where he is joyfully reunited with Miss Arabella Wilmot. During his stay, he attends a play and discovers that the new performer is his long-absent son George. Later, at a dinner hosted by a pretentious butler, the Vicar engages in a heated political debate about liberty and monarchy, only to be exposed as a guest of the servant. The real master, Mr. Arnold, arrives and graciously welcomes him.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
The butler pretends to be the master of the house, and George conceals his identity as a performer, highlighting themes of disguise and mistaken identity.
Social Class and Wealth
The Vicar's political speech critiques class hierarchy and the power dynamics between the rich, the middle order, and the monarchy.
Family and Paternal Authority
The Vicar's emotional reunion with George and his protective concern for his son's welfare underscore family bonds.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Primrose
The Vicar visits Mr. Arnold's home, reunites with Miss Wilmot, and discovers his son George performing in a play.
- Miss Arabella Wilmot
She joyfully reunites with Dr. Primrose, inquires about George, and shows mixed emotions upon seeing George perform.
- George Primrose
He is discovered as a new performer in a strolling company, becomes emotional upon seeing his father and Miss Wilmot, and later joins them at Mr. Arnold's.
- Mr. Arnold
The master of the house who welcomes Dr. Primrose and invites George after learning he is the Vicar's son.
- Mr. Butler
The butler who impersonates the master of the house, hosts a political dinner, and is forgiven after his deception is exposed.
Key passages
“Alas! Madam, he has now been near three years absent, without ever writing to his friends or me. Where he is I know not; perhaps I shall never see him or happiness more.”
Dr. Primrose laments that his son George has been gone for almost three years without any word, and he fears he may never see him again.
Expresses the Vicar's sorrow over George's prolonged absence.
“I am for liberty, that attribute of Gods! Glorious liberty! that theme of modern declamation. I would have all men kings. I would be a king myself.”
Dr. Primrose declares his support for liberty, but argues that true liberty requires a strong monarchy to prevent the rich from oppressing the poor.
Highlights the Vicar's paradoxical political views on liberty and monarchy.
“What, then I have been all this while entertaining a Jesuit in parson's clothes; but by all the coal mines of Cornwall, out he shall pack, if my name be Wilkinson.”
The butler, angered by the Vicar's pro-monarchy stance, threatens to throw him out of the house.
Shows the butler's outrage and the tension in the political debate.