The Vicar of Wakefield · Chapter
Chapter XXVI: A Reformation in the Gaol explained
The Vicar awakens to find his family in tears, but he reassures them and arranges lodging near the prison.
What happens
The Vicar awakens to find his family in tears, but he reassures them and arranges lodging near the prison. He instructs his son Moses to work as a day-laborer to support the family. The Vicar then attempts to reform the prisoners by preaching to them, despite their mockery. Mr. Jenkinson, a fellow prisoner, shares his life story of cunning and deception, admitting that his tricks have ultimately led to his downfall. He offers to help the Vicar and is forgiven by Moses for a past deception.
Themes in this chapter
Forgiveness and Redemption
The Vicar preaches to the prisoners in an attempt to reform them, and Moses forgives Mr. Jenkinson for his past deception, highlighting themes of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption.
Hypocrisy and Morality
Mr. Jenkinson reflects on his life of cunning and deception, admitting that his tricks have led to his poverty and lack of trust, contrasting with the honest simplicity of Farmer Flamborough.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Primrose
The Vicar awakens to find his family in tears, reassures them, and arranges lodging. He preaches to the prisoners and attempts to reform them.
- Mr. Jenkinson
A fellow prisoner who shares his life story of cunning and deception. He admits his tricks have led to his downfall and offers to help the Vicar.
- Moses Primrose
The Vicar's son, who is instructed to work as a day-laborer to support the family. He forgives Mr. Jenkinson for a past deception.
- Dick Primrose
One of the Vicar's young sons, who expresses that he is not afraid to sleep anywhere his father is.
- Bill Primrose
The Vicar's four-year-old son, who says he loves every place best where his papa is.
- Deborah Primrose
The Vicar's wife, who is directed to attend him and has prepared a frugal meal.
Key passages
“The traveller that distrusts every person he meets, and turns back upon the appearance of every man that looks like a robber, seldom arrives in time at his journey’s end.”
A person who is overly suspicious of everyone and turns back at the sight of anyone who seems threatening will rarely reach their destination on time.
Mr. Jenkinson uses this metaphor to argue that excessive suspicion hinders success.
“I was thought cunning from my very childhood; when but seven years old the ladies would say that I was a perfect little man; at fourteen I knew the world, cocked my hat, and loved the ladies; at twenty, though I was perfectly honest, yet everyone thought me so cunning, that not one would trust me.”
From a young age, I was considered clever; at seven, ladies called me a little man; at fourteen, I thought I understood the world; at twenty, despite being honest, no one trusted me because they believed I was too cunning.
Mr. Jenkinson describes how his reputation for cunning led to distrust and ultimately forced him into a life of deception.
“For be assured, my friends, for you are my friends, however the world may disclaim your friendship, though you swore twelve thousand oaths in a day, it would not put one penny in your purse.”
I assure you, my friends, even if you swore twelve thousand oaths each day, it would not add a single penny to your pocket.
The Vicar argues to the prisoners that profanity is futile and does not improve their situation.