# Chapter XX explained — The Vicar of Wakefield

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

## What happens

George Primrose recounts his misadventures after leaving home, including his failed attempts to secure patronage, his near-indenture to Mr. Cripse for transportation to America, a scheme to teach English in Holland that fails because he cannot speak Dutch, a journey to Louvain to teach Greek, his struggles as a disappointed author in London, and his eventual reunion with his old friend Ned Thornhill, who employs him as a companion and for whom he fights a duel. Thornhill then recommends him to his uncle, Sir William Thornhill, and another nobleman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Wealth

George's experiences highlight the vast gap between the wealthy nobility and the desperate poor, as seen in his attempts to gain patronage and his near-indenture.

### Deception and Appearance

Mr. Cripse's false promises, the captain's misleading advice about teaching Dutch, and George's own self-deception about his schemes all illustrate the theme of appearances versus reality.

### Hypocrisy and Morality

Sir William Thornhill's rebuke of George for being the instrument of his nephew's vices, while George himself fights a duel for Thornhill, underscores moral hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### George Primrose

Narrates his own story of failed schemes, poverty, and service to Mr. Thornhill.

### Sir William Thornhill

Receives George's recommendatory letter but rebukes him for being the instrument of his nephew's vices.

### Mr. Thornhill

Referred to as Ned Thornhill, George's old university friend and patron who employs him and later recommends him to his uncle.

### Mr. Cripse

Office-keeper who offers to transport subjects to America as slaves; George nearly signs with him.

### Mrs. Arnold

Interjects to express surprise that Mr. Thornhill is the narrator's neighbor and mentions Thornhill is a family friend.

## Key lines

> I was received by his servants with the most hospitable smiles; for the looks of the domestics ever transmit their master’s benevolence.

The servants' welcoming expressions reflected the kindness of their master.

_George observes that a master's character is visible in his servants' behavior._

> I fairly, therefore, divided my half guinea, one half of which went to be added to his thirty thousand pound, and with the other half I resolved to go to the next tavern, to be there more happy than he.

I split my last half-guinea, giving half to Mr. Cripse to add to his fortune, and planned to spend the other half at a tavern, hoping to find more happiness there than he had.

_George's cynical decision to waste his money rather than trust the office-keeper._

> I found that no genius in another could please me. My unfortunate paradoxes had entirely dried up that source of comfort.

I could no longer enjoy the work of other talented writers because my own contradictory ideas had ruined that pleasure for me.

_George describes the bitterness of a disappointed author._

## Links

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