# Chapter XXI explained — The Vicar of Wakefield

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

## What happens

The vicar and his son George enjoy a brief stay with the Arnold family, where Mr. Thornhill's attentions to Miss Wilmot become evident. Thornhill procures an ensign's commission for George, who departs for the West Indies. On his way home, the vicar stops at an inn and discovers his daughter Olivia, who reveals that it was Mr. Thornhill, not Mr. Burchell, who seduced her, and that she was privately married by a popish priest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Mr. Thornhill's generous facade masks his true villainy, while Olivia's initial secrecy about her seducer is finally dispelled.

### Forgiveness and Redemption

The vicar's immediate and unconditional forgiveness of Olivia underscores the theme of redemption through paternal love.

### Hypocrisy and Morality

Thornhill's public generosity and private treachery, along with the innkeeper's wife's harsh judgment, highlight societal hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Primrose

The vicar learns the truth about Olivia's seduction and forgives her.

### George Primrose

George receives an ensign's commission procured by Mr. Thornhill and departs for the West Indies.

### Mr. Thornhill

Thornhill courts Miss Wilmot, procures a commission for George, and is revealed as Olivia's seducer.

### Olivia Primrose

Olivia is discovered at an inn, destitute, and confesses that Mr. Thornhill seduced her and that she was privately married.

### Miss Arabella Wilmot

Miss Wilmot is courted by Mr. Thornhill but shows kindness to George.

### Mr. Burchell

Olivia clears Burchell's name, revealing he warned her against Thornhill.

## Key lines

> I gave him all I had, my blessing. 'And now, my boy,' cried I, 'thou art going to fight for thy country, remember how thy brave grandfather fought for his sacred king, when loyalty among Britons was a virtue. Go, my boy, and imitate him in all but his misfortunes, if it was a misfortune to die with Lord Falkland. Go, my boy, and if you fall, though distant, exposed and unwept by those that love you, the most precious tears are those with which heaven bedews the unburied head of a soldier.'

The vicar gives George his blessing, urging him to emulate his grandfather's loyalty to the king and to accept death in battle as honorable, even if far from home.

_The vicar's patriotic farewell emphasizes family honor and the virtue of sacrifice._

> 'Welcome, anyway welcome, my dearest lost one, my treasure, to your poor old father's bosom, though the vicious forsake thee, there is yet one in the world that will never forsake thee; though thou hadst ten thousand crimes to answer for, he will forget them all.'

The vicar embraces Olivia, assuring her of his unconditional love and forgiveness despite her sins.

_This moment of paternal forgiveness is central to the chapter's emotional impact._

> 'That villain, sir,' said she, 'from the first day of our meeting made me honourable, though private, proposals.'

Olivia reveals that Mr. Thornhill made her seemingly honorable but secret marriage proposals from the start.

_Olivia's confession exposes Thornhill's true role as the seducer, clearing Burchell's name._

## Links

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